Dr. Anoop Shramik isa Dalit rights activist and human rights defender. He is the Convener of Rashtriya Inquilabi Dalit Adivasi Manchwhich is a network of Dalit rightsactivists.He obtained his PhD degree from Poorvanchal University, Jaunpurin Uttar Pradesh for his research work onsexual harassment of Dalit women at workplaces.He was also associated with Dalit Foundation as its Regional Coordinator for North. He has been socially active for over more than 15 years. He has been taking up issues related to violence against women, rights of people engaged in, or employed for any sanitation workand health rights of the children of disadvantaged section of the society.Dr. Anoop Shramik also works with National Forum for Special Component Planfor Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.He has been awarded by the President of India in 2003 for leadership as a best cadet on behalf on Bharat Scouts and Guides, New Delhi.

According to information received,on December 19, 2019 Dr. Anoop Shramikwas arrested from Beniyabag ground in Varanasi around 12. 30 pmby the Uttar Pradesh policeduring the peaceful protest march against CAA and NRC.He was taken to the police lineand was booked under section 151 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)for violatingSection 144 of the CrPCand for charges of breach of peace. Around 4.30 pmhealong with others weresent to jail. A case was filed against Dr. Anoop Shramikin Chetganj police station in Varanasi by the police and he wasbooked undersections147, 148, 149, 188, 332, 341, and 353of the Indian Penal Code(IPC). The police also slapped charges under the 7Criminal Law Amendment(CLA) Acton him.The sections range from violent rioting with deadly weapons to assaulting a public servant.HRD Dr. Anoop Shramik’sfamily was not provided the copy of the First Information Report (FIR). For 3 days in the jail no body from the family was allowed to meet him. HRDA was informed that on the bail application the Sub Divisional Magistraterefused to put signature. The family were told that on theverbal order of the government of Uttar Pradesh, the District Magistrate has put a ban on the legal proceduresto be followed in the case by the family or friends of the defender. Family members and friends of Dr. Anoop Shramikwere not allowed to visit him in jail and they were prevented outside. On the day of hearing on bail, hewas put up in the lock up by the police without informing the court. Among 56 people arrested by the policein Varanasion December 19, 2019, 53 were granted bail on January1, 2019 and released from jail. Dr. Anoop Shramikwas not granted bail. Instead Varanasi police filed anotherfabricated case against him in Lanka police station under sections 153 Aand 153 Bof IPCwhich criminalizes promoting enmity between social and religious groups.The case relatesto a pamphlet distributed to oppose NRC in which the contact number of HRD Dr. Anoop Shramikwasmentioned.According to media reports, HRDs are being threatened to be booked under draconianand repressiveNationalSecurity Act (NSA).Dr. Anoop Shramikwaslodged in Chokaghat Jail in Varanasi. He was finally granted bail by Additional Sessions Judge, Court number 07, Varanasi on 6 January, 2020. Hehasspent close to 19days in jail. His arbitrary arrest and detention is a thinly-veiled attempt by the Indian authorities to discourage peaceful dissent in the country.In Uttar Pradesh the government is misusing several repressive laws toharass, criminalize and detainhuman rights defenders and silence dissent.Cases have also been reported of torture and ill-treatment of activists by the police.