Father Of Pinjra Tod Activist Natasha Narwal Dies Of COVID-19; Daughter Gets Interim Bail

Mahavir Narwal dead: Mahavir Narwal, father of the jailed Pinjra Tod activist Natasha Narwal died of COVID-19 complications on Sunday. He was a renowned scientist, senior member of the Communist Party of India. Reportedly, Mahavir Narwal was not able to speak to his daughter. His son, who also tested positive for COVID-19, was there with him in Rothak.

CPIM expresses deep condolences on the demise of Comrade Mahavir Narwal, a senior member of CPIM.
It is criminal act of the Modi govt that his daughter Natasha Narwal was arrested under UAPA last year and couldn't even meet her father.
Lal Salaam Mahavir Narwal! pic.twitter.com/B6An9V5y9L

— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) May 9, 2021

Mahavir Narwal dead: Twitter reacts

Narwal's death led to a chain of condolence messages on Twitter.

Human rights and peace worker, Harsh Mander took to Twitter handle to break the news of Narwal's death. He said, " 'Where there's suffering, my daughter will be there. I'm proud of her'. This hero, Mahavir Narwal, father of Natasha in jail for the CAA protests, supports her with courage hard to find. 'I hope she's not in jail so long she doesn't see my face.' He died just few hours ago of COVID".

Quoting his tweet, politician-writer Shashi Tharoor expressed grief, stating that it was unbelievably tragic and that it is sad to see the Indian democracy reduced to this state.

Unbelievably tragic, @harsh_mander. It is so sad to see our Indian democracy reduced to this state. Bail,not jail, used to be the mantra in such cases. What is happening to our human values that a daughter imprisoned for a political protest isn't allowed to meet her dying father? https://t.co/rNdEDWGLdQ

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 9, 2021

Kavita Krishnan, Women's rights activist and CPIML politburo member said, "This is cruel and sadistic. It is a form of torture to keep political prisoners jailed during a pandemic....the pain of being away from loved ones who are dying."

Me Prime Minister, do you hear us? This is cruel and sadistic .It is a form of torture to keep political prisoners jailed during a pandemic....the pain of being away from loved ones who are dying," @kavita_krishnan . https://t.co/ZURLGrgMql

— anuradha raman (@raman_anuradha) May 10, 2021

Director Alankrita Shrivastava wrote:

RIP Mahavir Narwal. Please rest assured that you raised a brave daughter Sir. Sending my prayers and love to #NatashaNarwal who is still in custody. https://t.co/sKTepy6iun

— Alankrita Shrivastava (@alankrita601) May 9, 2021

Who is Natasha Narwal and why is she jailed?

Natasha Narwal is a member of Pinjra Tod, a collective of female students and alumni from colleges in Delhi. She was jailed last year in May for allegedly "participating in a premediated conspiracy in the northeast Delhi riots". She was named under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act UAPA and has been lodged in Tihar jail in Delhi. The activist has, however, got interim bail from the Delhi High Court for the last rites of her father.

Delhi High Court begins hearing Delhi riots accused Natasha Narwal's plea for interim bail following the death of her father. #NatashaNarwal #COVID19 #DelhiRiots@DelhiPolice pic.twitter.com/QZZihvpjFL

— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) May 10, 2021

The Civil society groups and Left activists recently demanded that keeping in mind the surge of COVID-19 cases, the political prisoners should be released.

Image source: CPI (M) Twitter