Committed to protecting democracy, dissent in country: EFLU prof after NIA investigation  

The latest people to be summoned in connection with the Elgar Parishad case by the National Investigation Agency are Professor K Satyanarayana from the English and Foreign Languages University and his co-brother, senior journalist KV Kurmanath. Both happen to be the sons-in-law of 79-year-old poet Varavara Rao who has been imprisoned in connection with the Bhima Koregaon incident  Their homes were also raided in August 2018.

The two released a statement following the investigation, "Our oral statements were recorded about the material seized from our flats in August 2018 by the Pune police team. We answered all queries of the NIA and reiterated that we have no connection with the Bhima Koregaon case. We were ‘released’ at 9 pm on September 9 and allowed to return to Hyderabad. We reached Hyderabad last night."

The duo thanked their supporters for never making them feel alone during this time, "Though we both travelled alone to Mumbai, we never felt alone at any moment. We imagined many people waiting outside the building for us. We could hear statements of solidarity, messages and protests by artists, academics, activists, journalists, students and democratic voices from all over the world. This solidarity gave us moral support and strength at this moment of crisis. Many friends sent personal messages, several scholars and students issued public statements and well-wishers supported us. We thank each one of you personally. It was reassuring."

The professor also said that they would continue to protect democracy in the country, "The strident voices of dissent in this country and the world have rekindled our hope that the ruthless dismantling of democratic values, Constitutional guarantees and rule of law in this country will NOT be allowed. We assure you that we will be part of the initiatives for protecting democracy and dissent in this country."