For speech in 2010, Arundhati to be prosecuted under UAPA

New Delhi, NT Bureau: Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Friday sanctioned prosecution of author and prestigious Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act(UAPA) for delivering allegedly provocative speeches in 2010, PTI reported.

So LG has granted prosecution sanction under UAPA terror law on a 14 yr old FIR against Arundhati Roy on a charge of advocating Azaadi for Kashmir. Seems that Modi govt has learnt nothing from the 2024 debacle. Even more determined to make India into a dictatorship & Banana Republic —Prashant Bhushan, SC lawyer

In October, Saxena had sanctioned prosecution of Roy and Hussain under three sections of the IPC.

The sections pertained to: “promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony” (Section 153A), “imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration” (Section 153B), and “intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace” (Section 505).

Shocking that Arundhati Roy, world renowned author & a brave woman who has emerged as a powerful voice against fascism has been booked under the draconian UAPA. GOI continues its rampage violating fundamental rights with impunity. —Mehbooba Mufti, President JKPDP

Section 13 of the antiterror law they have now been booked under, according to The Indian Express, pertains to punishment for advocating, abetting or inciting any unlawful activity. It is punishable with up to seven years imprisonment.

A first information report against Roy and Hussain was registered following orders of the court of metropolitan magistrate in New Delhi, PTI reported quoting unidentified Raj Niwas officials.

No, it's NOT ArundhatiRoy who should be prosecuted under UAPA...Instead it is those who play Hindu-Muslim politics for votes, who unleash hate-speech for power, it is THEY who commit the biggest crimes against India and are the real anti-nationals. —Sagarika Ghose, MP and Deputy Leader TMC

Roy and Hussain were booked based on a complaint filed on October 28, 2010, by Sushil Pandit, identified as a social activist from Kashmir.

Pandit had alleged that various speakers delivered provocative speeches on October 21, 2010, at a conference organised by the Committee for Release of Political Prisoners under the banner of “Azadi - The only Way”.

He stated that the issues discussed at the meet pertained to the “separation of Kashmir from India”, which could jeopardise peace and harmony.

“Kashmir was never part of India and was forcibly occupied by the Armed Forces of India and every possible effort should be made for the independence of the State of Jammu and Kashmir from India,” Roy said, claimed Pandit, according to The Wire.

His complaint also named Kashmiri leader Sayed Ali Shah Geelani and Delhi University lecturer Syed Abdul Rahman Geelani.

Defies logic except the fascist kind. Timing is suspect since courts are on vacation, as are lawyers. Shameful and Condemnable! —CPI (M)