Subject: Arrest of Editor and Journalists of Andhrajyothy by the State of Andhra Pradesh

Dear Sir:

At the outset, we would like to inform you, if you are not already aware, the nature of the state you are presiding in desperate times. Desperate Times, it seems are calling for Desperate Measures by the State Authorities.

As a conscious citizen of the world, and particularly as we portray ourselves as the emigrants from the land of poetry and civility, we are simply out of words for what took place on the night of June 24, 2008. It has not only rekindled the darker age of emergency, as it was said, June 25th was THE anniversary of the act that lives in infamy in the history of India.

Arrest of K. Srinivas, the Editor of Andhrajyothy, and the two journalists, Vamsi and Srinivas, following a raid at night (10:30 PM IST) on the premises of Andhrajyothy must be condemned by everyone with any conscience and hope left in Democracy. We call on you to restore such hope at the earliest possible opportunity. This action by the state government occurred when you, Hon'ble Tiwariji, have presided over the state, as the chief administrator. It will be rightly credited in the history by our writers, and in which way you wish to be remembered is left to you.

Many of us living abroad as the Non-Resident Indians know that the state of Andhra Pradesh has become bold in its ways of defending its supporters and punishing its detractors in an unprecedented way. We are aware of the series of incidents that led to these arrests. Following the appearance of unflattering reports about his political activity in Andhrajyothy, the followers of Manda Krishna Madiga had attacked the newspapers offices, causing significant property damage and threatened the safety of journalists. The government practically waited for the voluntary surrender of the perpetrators of the violence against the newspaper. Manda Krishna Madiga made a public threat of more such attacks on the newspaper and he has been walking free despite instigation of violence. This particular episode of arresting editors and journalists of repute for a peaceful protest has crossed all limits, in every possible way.

The Act under which the Editor and the journalists are arrested is not in question at anytime, the manner in which it is wielded by the State is what comes into question. We request you to correct what is possibly an egregious attempt by the Government of the State of Andhra Pradesh.

We remain hopeful of your earnest action in this regard.