June 16, 2024
3 mins read

‘Nod to prosecute Arundhati Roy under UAPA misuse of power’

Those who delivered speeches at the conference included Syed Ali Shah Geelani, SAR Geelani (anchor of the conference and prime accused in the Parliament attack case), Roy, Hussain and Telugu poet and Varavara Rao…reports Asian Lite News

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday described as misuse of power the Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy under the stringent UAPA for an alleged provocative speech in 2010.

He was speaking to reporters during a joint press conference with Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan.

Asked about Delhi L-G VK Saxena’s sanction to prosecute Roy under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, for an address at an event 14 years ago, the former Union minister said, This is nothing but misuse of power.

Besides Roy, Saxena on Friday also gave the green signal for action under UAPA against former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain.

Roy, a Booker Prize-winning author, and Hussain had been named in an FIR registered on October 28, 2010. The two had allegedly made provocative speeches at a conference organised under the banner of Azadi – The Only Way’ on October 21, 2010, in New Delhi.

The issues discussed and spoken about at the conference propagated the separation of Kashmir from India, an official said on Friday.

Last October, the L-G had granted sanction to prosecute them under section 196 of CrPC for commission of offences punishable under different sections of the Indian Penal Code: 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief).

Those who delivered speeches at the conference included Syed Ali Shah Geelani, SAR Geelani (anchor of the conference and prime accused in the Parliament attack case), Roy, Hussain and Telugu poet and Varavara Rao.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday condemned Arundhati Roy’s statement on Jammu and Kashmir, adding whatever Arundhati Roy has said is totally wrong and Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.

Chaturvedi questioned the timing of the Modi government’s prosecution of Arundhati Roy under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, given that the matter is from 2010 and Modi’s government has been in power for the last 10 years.

“Whatever she (Arundhati Roy) has said is totally wrong. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. We will protest if anyone wants to create a gap. But, the question is that this matter is from 2010 and it’s Modi’s govt at the centre for the last 10 years, why they were silent till now on this issue? After 10 years, when a govt with less majority has formed, this decision looks political,” Chaturvedi told ANI.

Delhi LG, VK Saxena, has sanctioned the prosecution of Arundhati Roy and former Professor of International Law at the Central University of Kashmir, Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain for allegedly making provocative speeches at a conference organised under the banner of “Azadi – The Only Way” on October 21, 2010 at LTG Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi.

The LG sanctioned the prosecution of Arundhati Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain under IPC Section 45 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The FIR in the matter was registered on a complaint made by Sushil Pandit on October 28, 2010.

Earlier, the LG had granted sanction under IPC Section 196 to prosecute the above accused for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 153A, 153B and 505 of the IPC in October 2023.

ALSO READ-Indian Mission ‘Strongly’ Raises Jaahnavi Kandula Death With US Authorities

Previous Story

Stalin targets PM on Lok Sabha results

Next Story

US designates neo-Nazi Nordic group as global terrorists

Latest from India News

Alive With Opportunity

UK-India relationship ‘Alive with Opportunity’ as HMS Richmond hosts business showcase. The event was attended by more than 400 leading figures representing government, businesses, investors, and cultural icons, celebrating the strengthening partnership

India Builds Bridges at G20

Union Minister Jitin Prasada attended the meeting and held bilateral talks with counterparts from member nations….reports Asian Lite News India held talks with several nations on strengthening trade and technology ties, focusing

India, Japan eye Central Asia

Initial projects could focus on logistics hubs, renewable energy ventures, and agro-processing plants that address the region’s immediate economic needs…report Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Tokyo established

US Envoy Gor Meets Jaishankar on Bilateral Ties

Envoy’s visit comes at a time when India-US relations are navigating a complex phase…reports Asian Lite News US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday to
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Arundhati Roy awarded UK’s Pen Pinter Prize

In the days since, more than 200 Indian academics, activists

‘India heading for a crash’

The 62-year-old writer described India as a land of “sophisticated