The Jharkhand Police on Thursday detained Belgian-born renowned economist and academic Jean Dreze near Garhwa, located in the western side of the state.
As per media reports, Dreze was allegedly detained for holding a public meeting without any permission from the authorities.
Two other men were also detained along with Dreze, however, the three were released later.
Soon after Dreze’s detention, Yogendra Yadav tweeted: “Shocking beyond words! Jean Dreze is a saint-economist, a potential Nobel awardee who lived in slums, written and done more for the poor than any economist, shunned all power and glory, took up Indian citizenship, is a pacifist. Nothing can be more shameful than arresting him.”
Shocking beyond words!
Jean Dreze is a saint-economist, a potential Nobel awardee who lived in slums, written and done more for the poor than any economist, shunned all power and glory, took up Indian citizenship, is a pacifist.
Nothing can be more shameful than arresting him. https://t.co/KagTeBhFV8
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) March 28, 2019
Dreze, who was part of the UPA-era National Advisory Council, is known for his activism on the right to food.
Dreze is a visiting professor at Ranchi University and has also taught at London School of Economics.
