Srinagar : The National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have voiced strong disapproval over the recent sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Shaukat Hussain under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly making inflammatory speeches at an event in Delhi in 2010.
According to officials, the FIR against Roy and Hussain was registered following a court order by the Metropolitan Magistrate of New Delhi. The NC emphasized the importance of upholding the fundamental right to freedom of expression, as 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. The use of anti-terror laws to suppress dissent and criminalize speech is extremely worrying,” the party stated in a post on Twitter. The NC further noted the significant time lapse since the alleged speech, pointing out that the permission to prosecute was granted 14 years after the event. “In the intervening years, the speech has been almost forgotten and has not worsened the atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir. This prosecution will probably serve no purpose other than to show that the hardline stance of the BJP government will not change despite the recent electoral setbacks,” the NC added.
The PDP also expressed shock over the decision. PDP chief and former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, called the approval “shocking” and a blow to democratic principles.
Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor granted approval for the prosecution on Friday, which has sparked significant controversy and debate among political circles and civil rights activists. The move is seen by many as a step towards stifling free speech and dissent in the country
