The Supreme Court has ordered the release of Prabir Purkayastha, founder and Editor-in-Chief of NewsClick, who was arrested and detained under the UAPA on charges of Chinese funding to promote anti-national propaganda. The court declared his arrest and subsequent remand to be invalid, granting him relief in his appeal. This comes after recent developments where the Delhi High Court also ordered the release of another NewsClick employee and approver in the case, Amit Chakravarty, citing medical reasons and the lack of prosecution objection. The Delhi Police has alleged that the news portal received money from China to disrupt India's sovereignty and influence various events, but the court has deemed the allegations as insufficient to justify the arrests.
UAPA: A Deeper Dive into the Controversial Law and Recent Developments
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), enacted in 1967, is a stringent law designed to prevent and combat terrorist activities. It empowers law enforcement agencies to apprehend and detain individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism-related offenses. However, the law has come under scrutiny for its potential misuse and the broad scope of its definitions.
Recent Developments: Prabir Purkayastha's Release
Recently, the Supreme Court ordered the release of Prabir Purkayastha, founder and Editor-in-Chief of NewsClick, who was arrested under UAPA on charges of receiving Chinese funding to promote anti-national propaganda. The court ruled that his arrest and subsequent detention were invalid, citing insufficient evidence. This decision came after the Delhi High Court also ordered the release of Amit Chakravarty, another NewsClick employee, on medical and procedural grounds.
Allegations Against NewsClick
The Delhi Police had alleged that NewsClick received money from China to disrupt India's sovereignty and influence various events. However, the courts have found the evidence presented to be insufficient to justify the arrests.
Past Controversies and Misuse
The UAPA has been criticized for its potential misuse in the past. In 2018, five human rights activists were arrested under the law on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government. The arrests sparked widespread protests and allegations of political witch-hunt.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What does UAPA stand for? Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
2. What is the purpose of UAPA? To prevent and combat terrorist activities
3. Why is UAPA controversial? It has been criticized for its potential misuse and broad definitions
4. What were the charges against Prabir Purkayastha? Receiving Chinese funding to promote anti-national propaganda
5. Why was Purkayastha released by the Supreme Court? The court found the evidence presented insufficient to justify his arrest and detention
Conclusion
The UAPA remains a complex and controversial law. While it is necessary to have a framework to address terrorism, it is crucial to ensure that the law is not misused or abused for political purposes. Recent developments, such as the release of Prabir Purkayastha, highlight the need for careful scrutiny and a balance between national security and individual rights.
Karnataka, known for its thriving tech industry, is proposing a bill that aims to address the spread of fake news and misinformation online. However, free speech activists are raising concerns about potential censorship and selective enforcement. The bill has not yet defined what constitutes as "fake news" or "anti-feminist" content, raising fears of potential misuse. The state government has stated that the bill will be open for public opinion before implementation.
Pope Leo XIV took time out of his busy schedule to visit children at the Vatican's summer camp and share some inspirational words. He emphasized themes of diversity, acceptance, and building bridges of friendship. The pontiff also encouraged the children to be advocates for peace and to see everyone as equals.
At the Saryu Jayanti Mahotsav in Ayodhya, CM Yogi Adityanath announced a plan to revive rivers by preventing sewage, drain discharge, and animal waste. He stressed the importance of rivers for the environment and agriculture and highlighted the economic benefits of clean rivers for tourism and local economies. The CM urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of this initiative, emphasizing the link between river health and the well-being of communities.
The cyber crime division of Bengaluru South has registered a case against Ateeq Shariff and the administrator of 'Mangalore Muslims' for posting derogatory content against one of the judges of the Karnataka High Court hearing the hijab case. The judge in question is part of a three-judge bench formed after Muslim girls were denied entry to college for wearing hijab. This comes amidst tension and communal strife over the government order banning certain clothing on educational campuses.
A viral video posted on social media has sparked outrage as former MP Rajan Vichare from Shiv Sena (UBT) is seen beating traders for not speaking in Marathi. This incident raises concerns about the safety of the business community in Maharashtra. This comes after a similar incident where MNS workers attacked a restaurant owner for not using Marathi, leading to the business community shutting down shops in protest. Traders across the state express fear for their safety and condemn such incidents that are detrimental to communal harmony and business sentiment.
Delhi has made history as the first Indian state to receive final clearance from the DGCA for conducting cloud seeding trials, a long-awaited solution to the city's severe air pollution problem. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the development, calling it a major step forward in Delhi's fight against air pollution. Cloud seeding involves dispersing particles to encourage rainfall and wash out pollutants from the atmosphere, and has been spoken about for years but never implemented. As Delhi faces a fuel ban on older vehicles, this clearance provides a glimmer of hope for cleaner air in the future.
The Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra has revoked government resolutions that made Hindi mandatory as the third language in primary schools, following widespread protests and opposition from various political parties, including estranged Thackeray cousins Shiv Sena and MNS. However, questions have been raised about the timing and motives behind the government's decision, with the BJP accused of trying to impose Hindi on students. This move has also sparked a heated debate on the status of Hindi in Maharashtra, a state with a large Hindi-speaking population in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
In an effort to combat rising drug abuse rates, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced the implementation of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Drug-Free India Campaign) in all medical colleges across India. Along with this, the NMC has also requested the formation of drug-free hostel committees, a schedule of activities, and awareness programs for students, faculty, and staff. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the NMC, is also planning to launch Tobacco Cessation Centres in all medical colleges to help individuals quit tobacco consumption and reduce tobacco-related diseases.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued detailed guidelines for All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), medical colleges, and other higher educational institutions to implement Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan activities to tackle the growing issue of substance abuse among students. These measures include forming committees, conducting awareness campaigns, and creating referral systems to provide support to students. The government hopes that this collaborative approach will help curb drug trafficking and protect the student population from falling prey to substance abuse.
The Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, announced a major step towards inclusive mobility by offering a 50% concession on bus fares for women employed in the private sector. This move aims to make daily commuting more affordable and encourage more women to join the workforce. The announcement was made at the launch of the Mhaji Bus Scheme 2025 in Sanquelim, which also includes benefits for private bus operators such as operational subsidies and upgraded technology. Sawant assured current operators that they will not be left out during the system's upgrade and urged them to join the scheme for significant annual benefits.