Report on the 12th State Convention of PUCL Rajasthan
By PUCL Rajasthan
The 12th State Convention of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Rajasthan, was held in Jaipur on 14–15 March 2026. The convention brought together activists, scholars, community representatives, and a large number of young participants to deliberate on pressing human rights concerns in the state and across the country. A notable feature of the convention was the strong participation of youth, who constituted more than half of the attendees, reflecting the growing engagement of younger generations with questions of democracy, rights, and social justice.
Newly Elected State Executive
During the convention, the newly elected State Executive Committee of PUCL Rajasthan formally assumed office. The convention acknowledged the guidance of senior members who will serve as Patrons of the State Executive, including Prem Krishna Sharma, Aruna Roy, D. L. Tripathi, and Ramesh Nandwana.
Dr. Anant Bhatnagar was elected President of PUCL Rajasthan. The Vice Presidents elected were Arun Vyas, Mamta Jaitly, and Sister Geeta Carol. The responsibilities of General Secretaries were entrusted to Pragnya Joshi and Rajesh Chaudhary. Rakesh Sharma was elected Treasurer, while Suman Devthiya and Suresh Chandra Jain will serve as Joint Secretaries.
The Executive Committee Members elected to the state body include Satish Kumar, Kamal Kumar, Nesar Ahmed, Bhanwar Lal Kumawat, Radhavallabh Sharma, and Reema Rathore. The newly elected leadership reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening PUCL’s work in Rajasthan through continued engagement with grassroots struggles and initiatives aimed at defending civil liberties, democratic rights, and social justice.
Opening Session
The convention began with participants paying tribute to members who had passed away since the previous state convention. Presenting the organisational report, Dr. Anant Bhatnagar reviewed the activities undertaken by PUCL Rajasthan since the 2023 convention. These included fact-finding missions into incidents of injustice and violence, monitoring the increasing communalisation of academic institutions, and efforts to defend democratic rights and civil liberties through public engagement and advocacy.
The overall theme of the convention, “Human Rights in the Youth World,” emphasised the need to strengthen democratic participation and expand youth involvement in rights-based movements. Participants expressed concern over the shrinking space for democratic freedoms, growing restrictions on freedom of expression, and attempts to suppress dissenting voices. The convention affirmed its commitment to supporting youth-led struggles across sectors and strengthening collaboration with emerging social movements.
Youth Voices and Grassroots Struggles
The first session of the convention highlighted grassroots experiences from different regions of Rajasthan.
Inamul Hasan from Mewat presented examples of police excesses in Muslim-majority areas and raised concerns regarding the role of law enforcement agencies in cybercrime-related cases. Hasan expressed concern over the water consumption by the butcher house in the area adding further to the water crisis in the region. Garasia from Sirohi drew attention to the growing challenges faced by tribal youth, including rising unemployment and weakening implementation of forest rights. She noted that the declining accessibility of livelihood programmes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), combined with limited access to skill-based education, has compelled many tribal youth to migrate or take up insecure forms of labour.
Arjun Devasi of the National Pastoralist Association highlighted the discrimination faced by nomadic and pastoralist communities and demanded recognition of their rights through land entitlements and reservation policies. He pointed out that in several places such communities continue to face severe social exclusion, including restrictions on access to public spaces such as cremation grounds.
Dalit activist Geegraj emphasised the increasing insensitivity of political and administrative institutions toward marginalised communities. Narendra Rebari, associated with the “Save Camel” campaign, discussed the crisis faced by camel-rearing communities due to restrictions on grazing in forest areas and called for designated grazing zones to protect this traditional livelihood.
Social activist Megha highlighted the ongoing protest in Mohanpura, Jodhpur, against illegal mining by UltraTech Cement, which has continued for more than 1,200 days. Despite villagers winning a case in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), mining activities and environmental violations have reportedly continued, exposing local residents to pollution, dust, and health hazards.
Delivering the keynote address, Gurmehar Kaur emphasised that religious and caste identities are increasingly overshadowing citizens’ constitutional identity. She underlined the importance of building broad-based people’s movements and stressed that defending democratic values requires active participation by young people.
Technology, Cyber Violence, and Women’s Safety
A separate session addressed emerging threats posed by digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and violations of privacy, particularly in relation to violence against women.
Kavita Srivastava referred to incidents such as the “Sulli Deals” and “Bulli Bai” online harassment cases, where women from minority communities were targeted and humiliated through digital platforms. She emphasised that while technology itself is neutral, its misuse often reflects entrenched patriarchal attitudes that shape violence against women.
Participants also discussed the growing use of digital platforms for producing and circulating degrading content targeting girls and women. Siddharth Pillai of the Rati Foundation explained legal and technological mechanisms available to respond to cyber harassment and highlighted the need for greater awareness and accountability. He noted that a large majority of survivors of technology-facilitated violence are women and emphasised the importance of supportive institutional mechanisms, including helplines, counselling, and legal assistance.
In this context, the convention stressed the need for a comprehensive government strategy to address cybercrime, privacy violations, online exploitation, and blackmail. It also called for financial assistance and compensation mechanisms for survivors of technology-facilitated violence and those suffering severe psychological harm due to such crimes.
Gig Workers and the Changing Nature of Work
Another important theme of the convention was the changing nature of employment and the growing precarity faced by gig workers. Speakers highlighted how the rapid expansion of platform-based work has created new forms of employment characterised by a lack of job security, absence of social protection, and limited control over working conditions.
Participants emphasised the need for effective implementation of the Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Act, 2023, and called upon the government to frame the necessary rules to operationalise the law. The convention also expressed concern over widespread unemployment among young people and urged the expansion of employment opportunities along with provisions for unemployment allowance and other social security measures.
The convention further highlighted the employment crisis in rural areas, noting that changes in the implementation of MGNREGA have reduced livelihood opportunities for many households. Participants urged that the programme be restored and implemented in its original spirit so that it can effectively address rural distress.
Environmental Justice and the Protection of the Aravalli
Environmental concerns formed a central part of the convention discussions, particularly with regard to the protection of the Aravalli mountain range and the livelihoods of communities dependent on it.
Participants shared experiences of grassroots struggles against illegal mining in several parts of the state. Community representatives described the environmental and social impacts of mining activities, including land degradation, pollution, water scarcity, and threats to local settlements and schools.
Ramavatar Gurjar from Sawalpura Tavar village in Sikar district spoke about the role played by village women in resisting illegal mining operations. Despite facing threats, violence, and false legal cases, activists involved in these struggles continue to defend their land and environment. Student activist Riya emphasised that the destruction of rural environments threatens not only livelihoods but also the future prospects of younger generations.
Senior Supreme Court advocate Ritwik Dutta highlighted the legal and ecological complexities surrounding the definition and protection of the Aravalli range. He argued that the interpretation and conservation of the Aravalli must be grounded in principles of environmental justice and the lived experiences of communities residing in the region.
The convention strongly emphasised the need to enforce existing legal protections for the Aravalli and called for strict implementation of court orders prohibiting illegal mining. Participants also reiterated their support for communities resisting environmentally destructive mining operations, including the ongoing struggle of villagers in Kotputli.
Resolutions and Commitments
• The convention concluded with the adoption of a set of resolutions addressing key democratic, social, and environmental concerns.
• Participants reiterated their commitment to defending democratic rights, freedom of expression, and the right to dissent. The convention called for the repeal of unconstitutional and anti-people laws and demanded the release of social activists detained under such provisions.
• Resolutions were also adopted urging the expansion of employment opportunities and social security for young people, effective implementation of labour protections for gig workers, and restoration of employment guarantees in rural areas through programmes such as MGNREGA.
• The convention expressed support for the struggles of pastoralist communities and denotified tribes and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the right of individuals to choose their life partners, including in interfaith and inter-caste marriages.
• Concerns related to environmental regulation were also highlighted, including the need to address pollution and water scarcity caused by illegally operating slaughterhouses in the Mewat region and to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws. The convention also called for stronger action to stop illegal mining in the Aravalli region and reaffirmed solidarity with communities resisting environmentally destructive projects.
• Participants opposed the Disturbed Areas Act, 2026 passed by the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly and urged the President of India not to grant assent to the legislation. The convention also expressed opposition to the Rajasthan Anti-Conversion Law, 2025, arguing that such measures undermine the spirit of the Indian Constitution.
• Further resolutions called for the immediate implementation of the Rajasthan Right to Health Act, 2023, the enactment of a strong law to ensure the safety of journalists, and policies guaranteeing dignified housing for homeless individuals.
• The convention also emphasised the importance of ensuring universal access to quality education, particularly for girls in rural areas, and highlighted the need for adequate transportation facilities to enable them to pursue their education safely.
Finally, participants expressed concern over attempts to deepen communal polarisation in society and called for renewed efforts to promote social harmony, constitutional values, and democratic engagement. The convention also voiced its opposition to wars, violence, and conflict across the world and reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of peace, justice, and human rights.
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Dr. Anant Bhatnagar, State President
Dr. Rajesh Chaudhary, State General Secretary
Pragnya Joshi, State General Secretary
PUCL – Rajasthan