The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the arbitrary detention of Mr. Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan, a Dalit human rights defender in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh State[1]. According to the information received, Mr. Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan has been detained since his arrest on June 8, 2017, following protests during which Dalit and Thakur communities clashed in Saharanpur in May 2017[2]. However, Mr. Azad was not present during the protests. He was arrested along with 40 other prominent activists and leaders of "Bhim Army", a Dalit human rights organisation, all of whom were subsequently granted bail. 23 charges were filed against him, including charges of "rioting", "armed with deadly weapons", "unlawful assembly", "attempt to murder", "assaulting public servants", "trespassing", and "breach of peace" in relation to the above-mentioned clashes. On November 2, 2017, the Allahabad High Court granted bail to Mr. Azad in all the cases against him, as the police could not provide evidence of his specific role in the incidents of violence or of possessing weapons of any kind. However, within hours of the High Court order, on November 3, 2017, the Uttar Pradesh Government placed Mr. Azad under administrative detention under the National Security Act (NSA), until February 2018. The NSA allows the Government to hold a person without bail for up to a year. On January 27, 2018, Mr. Azad's detention under the NSA was extended until May 2, 2018. On that day, a non-judicial "advisory board' established under the NSA put him in jail for another six months i.e. until November 2, 2018. At the time of publication of this Urgent Appeal, Mr. Azad remained detained at Saharanpur jail, Uttar Pradesh State. The Observatory strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of Mr. Chandrashekhar Azad under the NSA, which seems aimed at impinging on his legitimate activities to protect Dalit rights. It further condemns what appears to be a deliberate misuse of the NSA to curb Mr. Azad's human rights activities. The Observatory urges the Indian authorities to release Mr. Azad immediately and unconditionally and to put an end to all forms of harassment against him, including at the judicial level.