As the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) makes the headlines once again, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticizes the Modi government for not learning from the election results. He raises concerns over the future of Muslims, tribals, and Dalits who have been detained under the stringent law and holds the Congress responsible for enacting it. Owaisi also expresses disappointment in the BJP for making the UAPA even more stringent, despite his opposition.
UAPA: A Tool of Oppression or a Necessity for National Security?
The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) has once again come under scrutiny following its use in the arrest and detention of several human rights activists and political dissenters in recent years. Critics argue that the law has been weaponized to suppress legitimate dissent and target minority communities, particularly Muslims.
Background
The UAPA was first enacted in 1967 to combat terrorism and other unlawful activities. It was amended several times over the years, with the most recent amendments being made in 2019. These amendments expanded the definition of terrorism and gave law enforcement agencies sweeping powers to arrest and detain individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities.
Current Concerns
The use of UAPA has become a major concern for civil society organizations and human rights groups. They argue that the law is being used to silence dissent and target individuals who are critical of the government. Several prominent activists and intellectuals have been arrested and charged under UAPA, including Anand Teltumbde, Varavara Rao, and Sudha Bharadwaj.
Critics also point out that the majority of those arrested under UAPA are from minority communities, particularly Muslims. They argue that this is evidence of selective and discriminatory enforcement of the law.
Government's Position
The government maintains that UAPA is a necessary tool for combating terrorism and other unlawful activities. It argues that the recent amendments to the law were made in response to the growing threat of terrorism in the country.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is the UAPA?
The UAPA is a law that authorizes the Indian government to detain individuals suspected of being involved in terrorist activities. It also empowers the government to ban organizations that it believes are involved in terrorism.
2. Why is the UAPA controversial?
Critics argue that the UAPA has been weaponized to suppress legitimate dissent and target minority communities. They point to the fact that the majority of those arrested under UAPA are from minority communities, particularly Muslims.
3. What are the amendments to the UAPA that have caused concern?
The 2019 amendments to the UAPA expanded the definition of terrorism and gave law enforcement agencies sweeping powers to arrest and detain individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities. It also allowed the government to designate individuals as terrorists without trial.
4. What is the government's position on the UAPA?
The government maintains that UAPA is a necessary tool for combating terrorism and other unlawful activities. It argues that the recent amendments to the law were made in response to the growing threat of terrorism in the country.
5. What are the concerns about the use of UAPA in the cases of activists and intellectuals?
Critics argue that the use of UAPA to arrest and detain activists and intellectuals is an attempt to silence dissent and suppress criticism of the government. They point out that many of those arrested have not been charged with any specific crime and have been held in jail for months without trial.
The 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections in the Chintamani constituency feature Dr M C Sudhakar as the Indian National Congress (INC) candidate, with declared assets amounting to Rs 65.5 crore. As per the election affidavit, he has a post graduate degree and is 54 years old. Dr M C Sudhakar has also mentioned 0 criminal cases registered against him, making him a top contestant in the upcoming elections. Keep track of live result updates to see if he secures his position as MLA for the third time.
In a shocking display of protest, BJP leader K Annamalai lashes himself six times and vows not to wear footwear until DMK is removed from power in Tamil Nadu. He also plans to visit all the six abodes of Lord Muruga to complain about the situation in the state. Despite the AIADMK being the main opposition, Annamalai's dramatic move has helped the BJP seize the initiative on the sexual assault case at Anna University in Chennai. He has also called out the party's shortcomings and questioned the whereabouts of the Nirbhaya Fund.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai staged a dramatic protest in Coimbatore, flogging himself to condemn the state police and ruling DMK party for their handling of a sexual assault case. The former IPS officer accused them of deliberately disclosing the victim's identity and announced that he will not wear footwear until the government is dislodged. The incident, which occurred on Christmas eve at Anna University, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for better protection of women's safety in the state.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday at AIIMS Delhi. His death was confirmed by AIIMS in their bulletin, which led to an outpouring of condolences from leaders across the political spectrum. Singh, known for his role in shaping modern India with economic reforms, retired to his iconic bungalow in Lutyens' Delhi after stepping down from office in 2014.
The passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the age of 92 due to age-related health issues has left the nation in mourning. Singh, who was admitted to AIIMS Delhi on Thursday evening, is being remembered for his economic revolution and progressive changes during his tenure. Political figures, including Priyanka Gandhi's husband Robert Vadra, have expressed their condolences for Singh's family and praised his service to the country. This is a developing story, stay tuned for updates.
The streets of Patna, Bihar have been filled with chaos and tension as aspiring candidates for the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) staged protests and attempted to gherao the BPSC office. With allegations of irregularities in the BPSC exams, the aspirants are demanding the cancellation and re-examination of the exam. The situation escalated when the protesting students were met with force by the police, leading to a standoff between the two groups.
A viral post claims that Udhayanidhi Stalin mocked Hinduism and proclaimed himself as a proud Christian. However, our investigation revealed that the video was edited to misrepresent Stalin's remarks. In his full speech, Stalin also identified as a Muslim and a Hindu, promoting religious equality and unity. Reports and the original footage of the speech further prove that the viral video was misleading.
A delegation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including prominent Ministers and MLAs, visited the Khanauri border to meet Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a hunger strike for farmers' rights. Concerned about his deteriorating health, they urged him to seek medical treatment. The party also criticized the Central government for failing to fulfill its promises to the farmers and offered their support in the ongoing struggle.
Aspirants of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) have been protesting for eight days now, demanding a re-examination of the 70th BPSC exam. Independent MP Pappu Yadav has joined the protest and appealed to opposition MPs and MLAs to show their support. YouTuber and educator Faisal Khan, known as Khan Sir, has also joined the protest and urged the BPSC to consider the plight of the students. The BPSC aspirants have previously met Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal and have also protested against changes in the exam pattern and the normalisation process.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu wished Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the global Jewish community a happy Hanukkah, a festival that celebrates hope and freedom. In his message posted on X in English and Hebrew, PM Modi expressed his hope that the radiance of Hanukkah would bring peace, strength, and hope to everyone's lives. President Murmu also extended her warmest greetings to Israel President Isaac Herzog on this auspicious occasion.