He is a prominent anti-Modi intellectual. The Indian government wants him behind bars.

By Niha Masih February 20 at 2:30 PM

MUMBAI — In his old life, Anand Teltumbde — one of India’s preeminent scholars on caste — would spend his days teaching students and conducting research.

Now he is just trying to stay out of jail.

In recent months, Teltumbde has been swept up in a government crackdown on lawyers and activists. The authorities allege the activists are supporting a banned group of Maoist militants, known as Naxalites, who seek to overthrow the government — accusations they deny.

The activists targeted in the investigation are advocates for India’s most disadvantaged communities, including indigenous tribal people and Dalits, once called “untouchables.” They are also vocal critics of the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Opponents say the Modi government is taking increasingly harsh measures to suppress dissenting voices ahead of national elections expected in the spring. The authorities have charged students with sedition for shouting slogans and raided the offices of international groups such as Amnesty International and Greenpeace. The crackdown feeds into fears that the freedom of expression is under fire in Modi’s India, where Hindu nationalist groups emboldened by his party’s leadership have harassed and attacked government critics.

-snip-