“Political prisoners describe:
– extreme physical and emotional torture
– distortion of language, truth, meaning and reality
– sham killings
– begin repeatedly taken to the point of death or threatened with death
– being forced to witness abusive acts on others
– being forced to make impossible “choices”
– boundaries smashed i.e. by the use of forced nakedness, shame, embarrassment
– hoaxes, ‘set ups’, testing and tricks
– being forced to hurt others
Ritual abuse survivors often describe much the same things.”
Laurie Matthew
Bullying comes easily to us, we have each bullied and been bullied. When the bullying gets out of hand, we go to the authorities. What happens when the authorities start bullying us? What if our “democratic” government becomes our bully? What if they get annoyed and torment us when we stand up for ourselves?
Unfortunately, throughout history, democracy, or dictatorship, people who have had enough and who stood up against their government in power, were tortured. The government confuses free speech for hate speech and plasters the sedition law in bold letters. Perversely, neither the charge is accurate nor is the life sentence fair.
What is the Sedition Law in India?
Article 124A:
“Sedition.—Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with [imprisonment for life], to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.
Explanation 1. — The expression “disaffection” includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity.
Explanation 2. — Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means, without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section.
Explanation 3. — Comments expressing disapprobation of the administrative or other action of the Government without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section.”
The above Article 124A is part of the Indian Penal Code and restrains citizens of India from spreading hatred or from urging others to show “disaffection” towards the Government of India.
In the explanations following the article, “disaffection” has been referred to as feelings of disloyalty or enmity. Comments that object the measures of the governments made lawfully are not considered an offence, neither is revealing disapproval of any action taken by the government peacefully.
Indian Citizen’s Rights:
India is a proudly democratic and secular country. It’s been taught to us that India is one of the few countries that celebrate various cultures, religions, languages democratically.
Article 19 of the Constitution:
“Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.,
(1) All citizens shall have the right:
(a) to freedom of speech and expression;
(b) to assemble peaceably and without arms;
(c) to form associations or unions [or co-operative societies];
(d) to move freely throughout the territory of India;
(e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India;
(f) Omitted
(g) to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.”
Article 19 of the Constitution of India gives its citizens freedom of speech, expression and to assemble peacefully.
Assembling Peacefully, aka, Protesting, and showcasing disapproval (without spreading hatred) for any law the Government of India has passed is a citizen’s basic human right.
Using arms, hurting, killing, sexually assaulting, aka Rioting, however, isn’t lawful and is a punishable offense.
2020 North-East Delhi Riots:
Since the anti-CAA and anti-NRC protests started last December in India, thousands of peaceful protestors have been arrested and even more detained. Internet and Phone services were shut down, halting all forms of communication. Many were tortured to death. Journalists have been intimidated and threatened, news channels been suspended. Students have been expelled.
Peaceful protests are every citizen’s right. Rioting is not.
Yet on 23rd February 2020, angry Hindus led a 6-day riot killing 53 and wounding thousands. Most of those deceased and harmed were Muslims, the main targets of the rioters. The week-long riots were bloody, racist, and unnecessary. Students were trapped in universities without electricity, food, or water, fearing the armed haters separated by just a door. Mosques were attacked and set on fire. Saffron flags (a symbol of Hindutva) were hoisted every place the rioters destructed. Hospitals were filled with injured protestors and rioters. Shots were fired, batons were hit, buildings destroyed, lives destroyed, peace destroyed. All this destruction for religious hatred?
This is not just a violent act, but it was driven by religious hatred. Weeks after the riot ended, bodies were still being discovered beaten and tortured. Universities were raided, students were sexually, physically, emotionally assaulted and yet more innocent people are captive.
Fearing for their lives and their loved ones, many minorities left Delhi, soon after. Most of whom remained, have been linked to violent behavior and have been arrested.
Political Prisoners of India – Safoora Zargar, Meeran Haider, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, Asif Iqbal Tanha and more:
“At no time have governments been moralists. They never imprisoned people and executed them for having done something. They imprisoned and executed them to keep them from doing something.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
All the innocent people arrested with affiliation to the peaceful protests since December 2019 and the Delhi Riots are Political Prisoners of India.
The Encyclopedia of Human Rights quotes, “Many victims of human rights abuses are civilian casualties in the war against him rights abuse; political prisoners are usually the war’s frontline soldiers.”
Although most student protestors and others are charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), it is clear that they are political prisoners. If Safoora Zargar was an actual criminal, she wouldn’t have been released following the protests and petitions signed to get her out. A criminal would never be set free as a result of protests.
This is not the secular, democratic India we were proudly taught about. This is not the India I want to be a part of. This is not the leadership, India and its citizens deserve. India should be the most populous democracy it claims to be. India is not a Hindu country, with only one language, Hindi. India is a country with multiple religions and cultures with over 470 languages. India is not an Anti-Muslim Country despite the way it is being portrayed. The only religion India is against is the religion of Terrorism. And Muslims are NOT terrorists!
I am speaking up. I am using my voice. I am not disrespecting my country, India. I am criticizing the way the government, honestly and respectfully! I am using my right to be vocal about what I think is problematic in my country!
Eduindex News 