Economist Jean Dreze Detained in Jharkhand, ‘Released’ Later
Jean Dreze, along with two others, was detained over permission for a meeting on Right to Food.
Reputed economist and activist Jean Dreze was detained along with two others in Jharkhand on Thursday, 28 March.
The three were detained over permission for a meeting on Right to Food, but were released after four hours, according to reports.
The incident took place in Jharkhand's Garhwa, with the two other activists identified as Vivek Kumar and Anuj Kumar.
“We had applied on 22 March to Pradeep Kumar, SDO, Garhwa District, for permission. Later, they had asked us to provide details such as the Aadhaar card of the head organiser. We had furnished all that was asked for but were never intimated anything.”Vivek Kumar to News18
After the detainment, the economist had reportedly said, "We want permission to hold the meeting today itself. Even evening. A big meeting was held in the same village last night without permission." However, the superintendent of police has asked to apply for the meeting for another day, he added.
Several people took to Twitter to condemn the incident.
Dreze has been well-known for his work in the areas of hunger, gender inequality, child health and education. He had also been one of the primary forces behind the conceptualisation of NREGA.
(With inputs from News18)