- The country was shocked beyond expressions as the rioting unfolded on the Republic Day on 26th January in the backdrop of farmers’ union agitation demanding the complete repeal of three farm laws is stating the obvious. Visuals graphically beaming scores of policemen getting cornered, beaten up, and running helter-skelter to save their lives will remain etched for quite some time to come. Resultant police action following the mayhem resulted in the raising of a flurry of First Information Reports (FIRs) as also subsequent investigations looking into several angles including anti-national activities and association with the Khalistani terrorists.
PC: lawnn
- There is no denying that several arrests made by the law-enforcing agencies in the recent past firmly conform to the ever-growing beliefs of forcible oppression perpetrated on the dissenting voices. It has been argued in these columns before about the inevitability of welcoming opposite views questioning the policy decisions of the government. Any counterviews forthcoming should be considered for all its worth without brushing aside brusquely. There may be opinions, though critical, that could be extremely useful in providing an alternative narrative for the government to consider with an open mind.
- Bracketing criticism against the government as anti-national simply defeats the purpose of boasting the virtues of democracy that ideally thrives on differing views not palatable for the ruling dispensation. Rising cases of people incarcerated under the sedition charges and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) laws on flimsy grounds and in the absence of clinching pieces of evidence does precious little in strengthening the democratic credentials of the country. Therefore, the Delhi session’s court order granting bail to climate activists as mentioned above precisely highlights the glaring lacuna whilst resorting to arrest lacking strong evidence(s).
PC: VAKASHA SACHDEV
- The Judge was candid in his order describing the ten days of custody endured by the activist on scanty and sketchy evidence ruthlessly raising questions about the motives of Delhi police. As it turned out, the police struggled to present inviolable evidence in court linking the activist to the Republic Day violence or make a cogent case for saying actions were tantamount to inciting violence. Needless to mention, on both counts, the Delhi police were found wanting. Note that the police and prosecution miserably failed in presenting dissent as crime thereby clearly establishing the futility of taking umbrage under the sedition safeguards going forward.
- The learned Judge also observed while delivering the order that citizens are conscience keepers of government in any democratic nation. As such, they cannot be put behind bars simply because scores might choose to disagree with state policies from time and again. Make no mistake, there is no compulsion or necessity for the citizens of the country to toe the government line all the time. There will be nonconformist voices emanating from different corners. By indiscriminately invoking sedition charges on those including idealistic young activists, the government dilutes its own moral authority in the longer run. Saner and wiser voices in the government should course correct on the modus operandi now.
