Was designer Anand Jon targeted for being Indian?

In the fashion world, Anand Jon had scaled such a height that no Keralite could think of. He fell from there. Or, was he pushed? Though there were enough hints that he was trapped, why wasn't he released from jail? He is still behind the bars in the US. Unable to find an answer, his sister and well-known fashion designer Sanjana was in New Delhi on Thursday to seek the release of her brother. Those who joined her was a BJP MP and even spiritual leaders.

They raised two major allegations: one, it was a trap against an Indian by those who were ruling the fashion world then, and second, racial discrimination.

Anand's fate

Anand has been jailed for 59 years for sexually abusing aspiring models. But medical reports made it clear that Anand had not abused the girls. Lie-detector test also supported him. Apart from the cases in New York and Houston courts, the case in Dallas too has been rejected. The examinations carried out in the case were also in Anand's favour. Now, only the cases in California are remaining. Even though the allegations of complainants have been proved to be fake, Anand has been in jail for the past 12 years.

Delhi gathering

Those who gathered in New Delhi seeking the release of Anand Jon included BJP MP Udit Raj, human rights activists and spiritual leaders. Udit Raj also sought the intervention of California governor in the issue and assured that it will be raised in the Parliament too. Those who gathered included Swami Padma Prakasha, Shibani Kashyap, Mahajan, Antony Raj, Shailesh Tewari, Baba Aziz Nizami, Nirmal Jain and Ankit Dey.

Sanjana breaks down

While speaking about Anand, globally renowned fashion designer, Sanjana became just a sister. She broke down several times. She expressed hope that the state and central governments will intervene in the matter. She alleged that despite the innocence of Anand has been proved, he is still in jail because he is the son of India and due to issues like racial discrimination.

Govt intervention?

Sanjana said that she had met foreign minister Sushma Swaraj five times to apprise her of the matter. She had approached the Kerala government too. During the UPA regime, she met Sonia Gandhi and submitted a complaint. Even then the state and central governments did nothing for Anand and it is very sad, she said. She added that she continues to have faith in the Indian administration.

Who was Anand?

Anand, who was a name to reckon with in the global fashion industry, belongs to Mallappally in Kottayam. After completing schooling in Kerala and Chennai, he left for the US on a special scholarship for studies and became a super celebrity. He was even selected among the 10 most attractive men in the world. Those who used to wait for him, became super models. They included Paris Hilton and Jennifer Lopez. When Anand started getting Wall Street investments, he became a target of many. And then he was sent behind the bars. Right from the beginning there were allegations that the charged were forged so as to trap him.

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