Many of India's laws have become instruments of oppression rather than regulation. One such law is the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). It meant to combat terror and prosecute known terrorist organizations. In July 2019, the law was amended to allow naming individuals as terrorists even if they have no affiliation with terrorist organizations. In the recent past, these provisions have been used against those who oppose and question the government, including students and journalists.
To date, no individual has been named "terrorist" but 11 student activists have been arrested over the COVID-lockdown period and are currently being investigated with intent to prosecute under UAPA. The cases include serious allegations of human rights violations, torture, and ill-treatment. On the other hand, government sympathizers have not been investigated over allegations of hate speech, including some who chanted "shoot the traitors" at counter-rallies.
One of the most alarming cases concerns student activist Safoora Zargar, who was detained for over two months in conditions equating to solitary confinement. She was finally granted bail on 23 June 2020, in her sixth month of pregnancy, on humanitarian grounds. The other activists remain under arrest even after the decision to decongest jails amidst the pandemic.
The arrests send a chilling message to those who question the government, criticism of the government will not be tolerated.
Written by Anu
Artwork by Zara Masood
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