Naseeruddin Shah turns ambassador for Amnesty International, campaigns over "country being awash with horrific hatred and cruelty"

The Amnesty India on Friday released a video starring veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. Through the video, the rights group gave out a message to the Indian government that they 'must end its crackdown'.

The tweet has Naseeruddin Shah talking about 'independent India'. He further talks about the 'voices of those trying to safeguard the country's constitution being suppressed' by the 'powerful' and at the end, asks 'Is this where our constitution is heading?'

The Constitution of independent India was adopted on 26th November 1949. From the beginning, its core values aimed at ensuring social, economic and political justice for everyone in India. For everyone to have liberty of thoughts, expression, faith, and worship. For everyone to be treated equally. For every person's right to life to be respected. In our country, those who help save the homes, lands, and livelihoods of the poorest, those who speak not just of the responsibility but of rights, those who raise their voices against corruption- they are safeguarding same Constitution. But now, those who demand rights are being locked away. Artists, actors, scholars, poets are all being stifled. Journalists too are being silenced. In the name of religion, walls of hate are being erected. Innocents are being killed. The country is awash with a horrific hatred and cruelty. And those who stand against this injustice are having their offices raided, their licenses canceled, their bank accounts frozen, their voices silenced. Only so that they deterred from speaking the truth. Is this where our constitution is heading? Had we dreamt of a country where there is no space for dissent? Where only the rich and powerful are heard, and where the poorest and most vulnerable are forever oppressed? Where there once was law, there is now only darkness...

At the end of the video a message appears which reads:

In 2018, India witnessed a massive crackdown on freedom of expression and human rights defenders. 
Let's stand up for our constitutional values this new year and tell the Indian government that its crackdown must end now.

Take a look: 

Amnesty India CEO  Aakar Patel also gave out a statement after releasing the video. He said:

"It may seem that the odds are against human rights defenders and civil society in India at this moment, but human rights have always won and will this time also. The arc of the moral universe is long, as Dr. Martin Luther King said, but it bends towards justice. The widespread crackdown on civil society organizations and human rights defenders by the government of India must end immediately. We thank Naseeruddin Shah for standing up in solidarity for the countless brave human rights defenders who despite being attacked, demonized and harassed have continued to fight for justice, liberty, equality and dignity for all. They are true heroes." 

Earlier, in a major crackdown on NGOs, Enforcement Directorate has confirmed that the Amnesty International headquarters in Bengaluru is being raided. As per sources, the ED was looking at FCRA and other violations. Amnesty had condemned the presence of Enforcement Directorate (ED) on its premises in Bangalore. Amnesty had attacked the central government, accusing them of trying to silence organizations like them.

In an official statement released on Twitter after the raids were conducted, Amnesty India has called such activities by the agencies as a disturbing pattern. Their message read:

"After a crackdown on a no. of NGOs, Enforcement Directorate hits at Amnesty. The 10-hour-long raid conducted at our Bengaluru office ended at midnight. Our staff fully cooperated with officials. We reiterate, our structure is compliant with Indian laws." 

Amnesty International drawing a Human Rights campaign had targeted Prime Minister Modi, denouncing the raids conducted by the Indian government. 

Accusing the government of silencing their voices, Amnesty India has shared a string of tweets.

Read: Amnesty India Condemns ED Raids, Accuses Government Of 'trying To Instill Fear'

The first tweet shared by the organisation said, "A global power like India should embrace human rights. Yet our work is effectively being stopped. Call on PM Modi to keep human rights alive."

Giving him the title of 'the serial hugger' showing the Prime Minister embracing world leaders at different occasions. The organisation accuses PM Modi of "bullying." 

Read: Smarting Over Raids, Amnesty Plans 'global' Anti-Modi Rabble-rousing As India Takes Centrestage At G20