She wants justice for designer son Anand Jon

By Radhika Bhirani

New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) Shashi Abraham, the mother of US-based designer Anand Jon, is leaving no stone unturned to fight for justice for her son who was arrested eight months back on charges of rape and sexual harassment of 30 women in that country.

She and daughter Sanjana are on their second visit to India since Anand's arrest last year and are holding candle light vigils as well as seeking government intervention to free Anand, who Shashi claims is a victim of "professional rivalry".

"The charges against my son are an unfortunate consequence of professional rivalry and racial attack," Shashi told IANS.

"Not many designers make it big internationally. Seeing my son, especially a 'brown boy', score exceptional success was probably not acceptable by many people there who eventually conspired against my son."

Just last week they organised a candle light vigil at the India Gate in protest against the designer's arrest. "I was happy to witness a large crowd during our vigil. The media is my only channel to communicate to people that my son is innocent. And it makes me glad to see the media support we are getting here in India," Shashi said.

New York-based Anand, touted by US magazine Newsweek as the designer to watch out in 2007, was waiting for a funding of $10-15 million by Wallstreet March 20. But a fortnight prior to that police picked him up.

The bail amount for Anand has been priced at a whopping $2 million.

"We have all the evidence at hand to prove his innocence but only if we are given one chance. My son is being denied basic civil rights and that is highly cruel and inhuman on their (judiciary's) part," complained Shashi.

In case Anand is proven guilty, he could be jailed for more than one 'jail term' that amounts to over 25 years.

Anand, as Shashi fondly reminiscences, is a typical Indian boy bestowed with traditional values, thus making him a complete family person.

"Anand is proud to be an Indian and is a true cultural ambassador of the country."

"My son is a decent, respectable boy who has always been protective of my daughter and me. I refuse to believe any accusations of rape or molestation made against him," she added emphatically.

Shashi along with Anand's supporters will be organising yet another candle light vigil in Mumbai Jan 21 at the Gateway of India.

(Radhika Birani can be contacted at rbhirani@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )