NC, PDP disapprove UAPA sanction against Arundhati Roy, Prof Showkat
Srinagar: The National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have voiced their strong disapproval of the prosecution sanction against author Arundhati Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their speeches at an event in Delhi in 2010.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the FIR against Roy and Hussain was registered following the orders of the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi.
The National Conference highlighted the importance of upholding the fundamental right to free speech as guaranteed by Article 19 of the Constitution. “The NC expresses its strong disapproval of the prosecution of author Arundhati Roy and Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the UAPA. The use of draconian laws to suppress dissent and criminalize speech is deeply concerning,” the party said in a post on X.
The NC also said that there was a significant delay in granting permission for prosecution, pointing out that it has been 14 years since the alleged speech took place. “In the intervening years, the speech has been all but forgotten and didn’t vitiate the atmosphere in J&K,” the NC said.
The party argued that this prosecution serves no purpose other than to demonstrate that the “hard line stance of the BJP/Indian government won’t change despite the electoral setback they recently faced.”
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said on X, “Shocking that Arundhati Roy, world-renowned author and a brave woman who has emerged as a powerful voice against fascism, has been booked under the draconian UAPA,” she.
She criticised the Indian government for what she described as a “rampage violating fundamental rights with impunity” and added that prosecuting a former law professor from Kashmir is an act of frustration.
Iltija Mufti, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter and media adviser, expressed concern over the prosecution of Roy and Showkat Hussain. “Equally worrying that it also includes Dr Sheikh Showkat, a former Professor of Law from Kashmir. What is becoming of India? Might as well turn this country into an open-air prison,” she posted on X.
The FIR was registered on October 28, 2010, following a complaint by Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir.
