A significant student protest erupted at Jantar Mantar, opposing the prosecution of renowned author Arundhati Roy and Professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The demonstration was triggered by the recent approval from Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena to prosecute the duo for allegedly delivering provocative speeches at an event in 2010.
Students from various organizations, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation (CPI-ML) and the All India Students Association (AISA), assembled in large numbers, holding banners and posters calling for the removal of UAPA charges against Roy and Hussain. The protestors argued that the charges were unjust and represented a misuse of the UAPA to stifle dissent and curtail free speech.
The students voiced their concerns over the increasing application of the UAPA, which they believe is being used to target activists, intellectuals, and individuals who speak out against the government. They emphasized that the speeches by Roy and Hussain were not calls to violence but expressions advocating for peace, justice, and the protection of human rights.
Speakers at the protest highlighted the potential dangers of the UAPA in suppressing democratic discourse and civil liberties. They called for immediate action to drop the charges against Roy and Hussain, underscoring the importance of safeguarding free speech in a democratic society. The protest also aimed to draw attention to how anti-terror laws are implemented in India.
One student protestor, Anjali Mehta from AISA, stated, "The UAPA is being misused to silence voices that speak truth to power. Arundhati Roy and Professor Hussain were advocating for justice and peace. Charging them under UAPA is a blatant attempt to intimidate those who dare to dissent."
The protest at Jantar Mantar is part of a growing movement among students and activists who are increasingly vocal about the need for legal reforms to prevent the misuse of anti-terror laws. The demonstrators demanded that the government reconsider its stance on the UAPA and ensure that it is not used as a tool for political vendetta.
The ongoing controversy surrounding the UAPA charges against Roy and Hussain continues to spark debate about the balance between national security and the preservation of civil liberties. As the protest concluded, the students vowed to continue their fight for justice and the protection of free speech in India.