>
Title: Need to release Dr. Binayak Sen of Raipur, a Human Right Activist from jail and grant permission to him to visit USA to receive ‘2008 Jonathan Mann Award’ for Global Health.
DR. KARAN SINGH YADAV (ALWAR): Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I raise a matter of human rights. Dr. Binayak Sen of Raipur, a well-known physician and a paediatrician and an officer in People’s Union for Civil Liberties has been imprisoned in Raipur for nearly a year without trial as a result of an allegation that he has violated State terrorism law. Dr. Binayak Sen denies committing this crime. One of the prestigious world health organisations called the Global Health Council has awarded Dr. Binayak Sen the prestigious Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health. Dr. Sen has been working in this poor Chhattisgarh State. He has spent his life time educating people about health practices and civil liberties. By providing information, he saved the lives and improved the conditions of thousands of people. Such a dedicated doctor trained from Vellore has been imprisoned for one year without any trial. He has been internationally acknowledged and recognised.
Now, a lot of people from all over the world have been requesting the Government of India to get him released from the jail and make him available in order to enable him to receive this prestigious Award on 29th May, 2008 at the Annual Conference of Global Health in Washington DC.
DR. R. SENTHIL (DHARMAPURI): Sir, I want to associate with what Dr. Karan Singh Yadav says. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Those who want to associate may give their names.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN (BALASORE): Sir, I very strongly object to this. Why can he not get bail from the court? … (Interruptions)
DR. KARAN SINGH YADAV : Do you know he has spent his lifetime serving poor people and tribals? He should be allowed at least to go and receive this prestigious international Award. He is a doctor trained in Vellore. He is highly qualified. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Dr. Yadav, your point has come on record. Please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
DR. KARAN SINGH YADAV : Without any trial you have put somebody in the jail. I would request the Government of India to use its office to get him released. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) …*