Economist Jean Dreze, Two Others Detained in Jharkhand’s Garhwa for Holding Meeting Without Permission, Released Later
Jean Dreze, a Belgian-born Indian economist and activist, was detained by Jharkhand Police on Thursday morning. Dreze, who was part of UPA-era National Advisory Council (NAC), was detained from western Jharkhand's Garhwa.
Garhwa, March 28: Jean Dreze, a Belgian-born Indian economist and activist, was detained by Jharkhand Police on Thursday morning. Dreze, who was part of UPA-era National Advisory Council (NAC), was detained from western Jharkhand's Garhwa. Along with Dreze, two other activists were arrested for allegedly holding a public meeting without permission from authorities. The trio were later released.
According to the NDTV report, Dreze was invited to a public meeting for food and pension, organised by a local NGO. The organisers had sought permission from the administration ten days ago. But as there was no response, organisers went ahead with the meeting, as the event didn't had any direct connection with Lok Sabha Elections. Jharkhand Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Schedule: Constituency Wise Dates Of Voting And Results For General Elections.
Tweet by ANI:
"World-renowned economist & social activist Jean Dreze & 2 others have been arrested by the BJP govt. in Jharkhand for daring to hold a meeting on Right to Food. In a state with so many hunger deaths, you'd expect the govt to be more receptive to help," said Congress in a tweet.
Tweet by Indian National Congress:
Reacting Dreze's detention, political leader Yogendra Yadav tweeted: "Shocking beyond words! Jean Dreze is a saint-economist, a potential Nobel awardee who lived in slums, written and done more for the poor than any economist, shunned all power and glory, took up Indian citizenship, is a pacifist. Nothing can be more shameful than arresting him."
Tweet by Yogendra Yadav:
The 59-year-old noted Economist has been living in India since the 1970s. He has written many books on development and policies in India. Dreze co-authored "Hunger and Public Action" with Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. Jean Dreze is currently a visiting professor at Ranchi University and honorary professor at the Delhi School of Economics.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 28, 2019 03:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).