Srinagar: The National Conference and the People's Democratic Party have expressed their disapproval over the sanction to prosecute writer Arundhati Roy and a former professor from Kashmir under the stringent UAPA for allegedly making an inflammatory speech at an event in Delhi in 2010.
According to officials, the FIR against Roy and former Kashmir Central University professor Sheikh Shaukat Hussain was lodged following the order of the court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi.
Expressing disapproval over the move, the National Conference (NC) stressed the need to maintain the fundamental right of every citizen to freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 19 of the Constitution.
"The NC expresses its strong disapproval of the prosecution of author Arundhati Roy and Dr Sheikh Shaukat Hussain under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act). The use of anti-terrorism laws to suppress dissent and criminalize speech is extremely It is worrying." said in a post on 'X'.
"It is also important to note that this permission has been granted 14 years after the alleged speech. In the intervening years, the speech has been almost forgotten and has not vitiated the atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir," it said.
The NC said this prosecution would probably serve no purpose other than to show that "the hardline stance of the BJP/Central government will not change despite the recent electoral setback".
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Friday gave sanction to prosecute writer Arundhati Roy and a former professor from Kashmir under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly making inflammatory speeches at an event in 2010.PDP chief and former chief minister of erstwhile state Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, described the approval as "shocking".
"It is shocking that Arundhati Roy, a world-renowned writer and a brave woman who has emerged as a powerful voice against fascism, has been booked under the draconian UAPA," he said on 'X'.
The PDP chief said the Center has "continued its rampage by violating fundamental rights."
Mehbooba Mufti said, “Registering a case against a former law professor from Kashmir is also an act of desperation.”
His daughter and media advisor Iltija Mufti said that Roy would be prosecuted under UAPA for being a "courageous voice refusing to bend the knee".He said on "
Roy and Hussain had reportedly given provocative speeches at a conference organized under the banner of 'Azadi - The Only Way' at the LTG Auditorium in New Delhi on October 21, 2010.
The FIR in the case was registered on 28 October 2010 on the complaint of Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir.
According to officials, the FIR against Roy and former Kashmir Central University professor Sheikh Shaukat Hussain was lodged following the order of the court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi.
Expressing disapproval over the move, the National Conference (NC) stressed the need to maintain the fundamental right of every citizen to freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 19 of the Constitution.
"The NC expresses its strong disapproval of the prosecution of author Arundhati Roy and Dr Sheikh Shaukat Hussain under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act). The use of anti-terrorism laws to suppress dissent and criminalize speech is extremely It is worrying." said in a post on 'X'.
"It is also important to note that this permission has been granted 14 years after the alleged speech. In the intervening years, the speech has been almost forgotten and has not vitiated the atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir," it said.
The NC said this prosecution would probably serve no purpose other than to show that "the hardline stance of the BJP/Central government will not change despite the recent electoral setback".
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Friday gave sanction to prosecute writer Arundhati Roy and a former professor from Kashmir under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly making inflammatory speeches at an event in 2010.PDP chief and former chief minister of erstwhile state Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, described the approval as "shocking".
"It is shocking that Arundhati Roy, a world-renowned writer and a brave woman who has emerged as a powerful voice against fascism, has been booked under the draconian UAPA," he said on 'X'.
The PDP chief said the Center has "continued its rampage by violating fundamental rights."
Mehbooba Mufti said, “Registering a case against a former law professor from Kashmir is also an act of desperation.”
His daughter and media advisor Iltija Mufti said that Roy would be prosecuted under UAPA for being a "courageous voice refusing to bend the knee".He said on "
Roy and Hussain had reportedly given provocative speeches at a conference organized under the banner of 'Azadi - The Only Way' at the LTG Auditorium in New Delhi on October 21, 2010.
The FIR in the case was registered on 28 October 2010 on the complaint of Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir.
