Rights activists in India have called for more united and coordinated work to ensure the rights of religious minorities, tribal and Dalit people.

Activists, lawyers and civil society met in New Delhi to honour Soni Sori, a tribal activist who was chosen by Ireland-based rights organization Front Line Defenders for an award this year.

“Sori has become an inspiration to fight for rights violations in India at a time when the nation is witnessing orchestrated violence against minorities,” Supreme Court lawyer and activist Colin Gonsalves told.

“We all can learn from her that if we are firm and united no forces can deny our rights.”

Sori was arrested in 2011 on charges of helping Maoist insurgents. While in custody, she was tortured and sexually assaulted by Chhattisgarh State police. By April 2013, she had been acquitted of six of eight cases against her due to lack of evidence. In 2016, unidentified men threw acid on her face.

Since her release from jail in 2014, Soni has been at the fore- front of protests against abuses committed by security forces in conflict zones in central India. She has also defended several educational centres from destruction by Maoist groups.

Prasant Bhusan, a Supreme Court lawyer, said developments in India show “there is a feeling among people that they are not safe even in their own country and there is a threat from the dominant group.”

He said those speaking for the rights of minorities are “branded as anti-national … You speak in favour of tribals and you will be associated with Maoists,” he said.