Thread by @SaketGokhale

Statement:

I’m back after spending 4.5 months in Ahmedabad Central Jail.

Why?

Because the Gujarat Police & the ED unleashed on me by the BJP arrested me in a case of Rs. 500. filed by a Gujarat Govt official claiming to be a donor.

(1/10)

Of the 1700 people that crowdfunded me between 2019-20, a complaint of Rs. 500 by ONE donor (incidentally a Gujarat Govt official) was used to charge me with “money laundering”.

Sadly for the BJP, these months of imprisonment didn’t break me like they wanted.

(2/10)

I’m confident of my innocence & have immense faith in our judiciary which I trust will give me justice.

I have done my work with the greatest dedication through all these years.

And I’ll continue to do the work I’ve always done with the same spirit.

(3/10)

During my bail hearing, an institution no less than the Supreme Court of India asked the govt of India that: “Gokhale is known for his RTI campaigns. Why do you want to keep him behind bars”?

There can be no greater validation for me than this.

(4/10)

I was arrested 3 times in December by Gujarat Police in a span of 20 days.

That Gujarat Police would book someone who has never been to Gujarat isn’t surprising since that state is BJP’s laboratory for persecution.

I’ve seen the “Gujarat Model” closely while in jail.

(5/10)

The ED was then unleashed on my like it has been on several Opposition leaders by the BJP over the past few years.

I’m proud that despite several attempts by the BJP to get me to jump into their “washing machine”, I kept my integrity & chose to suffer prison instead.

(6/10)

I was attacked in jail on 4 occasions but I was determined not to back down.

The main purpose of BJP in jailing me was to try and silence me.

I feel sorry for them if they assumed that I’m as weak as their coterie of “washing machine”-returned leaders.

(7/10)

All that BJP has done is removed the fear of jail and persecution from my heart. A man with no fear is to be feared.

A 130 days in jail aren’t going to stop me from fighting against BJP which is determined to subvert the Constitution of India & our democracy.

(8/10)

I’m a proud soldier of a team led by @MamataOfficial & @abhishekaitc. Backing down from a righteous battle is not in our DNA.

I’m indebted to my leaders, my guardian angel @derekobrienmp & my party @AITCofficial #TMC for supporting me & my family through all this.

(9/10)

I’m back and ready to fight the good fight. I’m confident that justice will eventually be delivered - to me for my innocence as well as to the BJP for all their sins.

I’m grateful as ever for all your love and support.

Onwards, upwards, & back to the good fight.

(10/10)