Novdeep Kaur: the imprisoned activist

by Harseerat Mann, Opinions Editor

Artwork by – Ink Quisitive Art

Navdeep Kaur, more commonly known as Novdeep Kaur, is a 23-year-old Dalit activist. She was arrested on Jan. 12 after protesting in front of Sharan Elecmech, a metal demolition company located in the Kundli Industrial Area of Haryana.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' niece, Meena Harris' tweet has drawn worldwide interest to the arrest and alleged sexual attack of a younger Indian activist.

Kaur is dealing with charges of attempted murder, extortion, and several other offenses and has two times been refused bail. She reportedly demonstrated near the new and old border, where thousands of farmers were protesting against the farm's rules. She also talks about the new and old frontiers.

“Weird to see a photo of yourself burned by an extremist mob but imagine what they would do if we lived in India. I'll tell you — 23-year-old labor rights activist Novdeep Kaur was arrested, tortured & sexually assaulted in police custody. She's been detained without bail for over 20 days,” Meena Harris tweeted.

Kaur, a member of Mazdoor Adhikar Sanghatan (MAS), graduated 12 years ago and started working at a power station in Kundli, Noida. Kaur, as part of MAS, has strived to build solidarity between farmers and workers.

Rajveer Kaur, Dalit activist and sister of Novdeep, claimed her sister was sexually assaulted by a male worker at a police station, as she was injured in her genitals. Their lawyer said the doctor's report confirmed the same.

“I met her (Novdeep) on January 13 only and realized she has been subjected to police violence, including assault on her genitals that can be termed sexual violence... They [Police] accuse her of extortions. I ask, will extortion be for mere Rs 5,000? Will extortion be done by holding a protest? They have accused her under 307 IPC?” Rajvir said. “The policeman is giving interviews saying Novdeep Kaur of Punjab is extorting money for laborers. These are all fake charges. They are framing her as if my sister attacked the police station. She was the one who was beaten and dragged from there.”

In India's millennial caste system, Dalits are completely outside the building. They are called "untouchable" by a form of inherited family labor passed down from generation to generation. The Dalits have been held back for centuries by culture and other Indian societies.

Novdeep Kaur claimed in her plea for bail that she was beaten, tortured, and officially detained by the police after several injuries during this period. She also claimed that she could not seek medical advice which violated Article 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Kaur was kept in Karnal prison, Haryana. Her case began to attract media attention after poet Rupi Kaur also announced her support on Jan. 30.

“As an Indian citizen Novdeep Kaur she had the right to protest but she was taken into custody for no reason. She was beaten and sexually assaulted by the police,” Gahr High junior Gurpreet Kaur said. “The government of India tries to play with its own citizens isn’t right at all. Novdeep Kaur was able to get out of jail with bail because of the awareness on social media.”

Novdeep Kaur was released on Friday, Feb. 26 in the High Court murder trials in Punjab and Haryana. However, Dalit discrimination and human rights violations are still rampant in India.