Arundhati Roy's prosecution under UAPA sparks controversy

After Delhi-LG VK Saxena gave his nod to prosecute novelist Arundhati Roy under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, there have been mixed reactions coming from various quarters, where many questioned the timing of the move, the BJP labelled the critics as 'terrorist sympathizers'.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar while responding to Delhi LG's sanction to prosecute Roy under UAPA, said “It is nothing but misuse of power.”

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena sanctioned the prosecution of Arundhati Roy under the stringent UAPA for an alleged provocative speech in 2010. Along with Roy, a former professor of International Law at the Central University of Kashmir, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain has also been booked under the same law.

While speaking to reporters during a joint press conference with Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on June 15, the former Union minister said, “This is nothing but misuse of power.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi while criticizing the move acknowledged that Roy's statements were "incorrect", but it's the timing that is questionable.

The Shiv Sena leader pointed out the delay in taking action, stating, “But, the prime question is that this matter is from 2010 and it's Narendra Modi's government at the centre for last 10 years, why were they silent till now on this matter?”

"Suddenly, after 10 years, when a government with less majority has been formed at the centre, this decision looks political...," Chaturvedi told ANI.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also condemned the move saying it was driven by a "fascist" agenda.
"Condemnable! The Delhi LG has granted permission to prosecute Arundhati Roy under the draconian UAPA for a speech reportedly made 14 yards ago - in 2010. Defies logic except the fascist kind. Timing is suspect since courts are on vacation, as are lawyers. Shameful and Condemnable!" said the CPI(M) in a post on X.

Other parties who joined in the criticism were Congress leader Hariprasad BK and Trinamool Congress MP-elect Mahua Moitra.

Moitra argued that the BJP's actions would not restore their past influence in the country. "If by prosecuting Arundhati Roy under UAPA, BJP is trying to price they're back, well they're not. And they'll never be back the same way they were. This kind of fascism is exactly what Indians have voted against," she said.

In a post on X, the National Conference (NC) said, "The NC expresses its strong disapproval of the prosecution of author Arundhati Roy and Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act)."
"The use of anti-terror laws to suppress dissent and criminalize speech is deeply concerning," it said, adding, "It is also imperative to note that this permission has been granted 14 long years after the alleged speech took place".

"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," said Mehbooba Mufti, Peoples Democratic Party leader in a post on X.

Meanwhile, director-producer Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri also commented on the development, claiming that the villain character shown in his movie 'The Kashmir Files' was based on real people, and the “Left ecosystem" was angry with him because he showed the “real face of the villains of Kashmir.”

Agnihotri shared a collage of video clips featuring Roy and a scene from the controversial movie released in 2023 on X with the caption: “The villain in #TheKashmirFiles was based on real people. The left ecosystem wasn’t angry with me because I showed the pain of Kashmiri Hindus. They were angry because I showed the real face of the villains of Kashmir. Let’s see what happens after #TheDelhiFiles.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused the Congress of sympathizing with separatists and terrorist organizations.

Taking to X, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Delhi LG approves the prosecution of Arundhati Roy under UAPA. Why is the Congress ecosystem rattled? First they support & take support from SDPI and now they cry for separatists. Does it not believe Kashmir is integral part of Bharat? From Afzal to Yakub - Congress puts Votebank niti above Rashtra niti?"

Award-winning author Arundhati Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain had allegedly made provocative speeches at a conference organized under the banner of 'Azadi - The Only Way' on October 21, 2010, at LTG Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, in New Delhi.

In October 2023, the LG granted sanction to prosecute them under section 196 of CrPC for commission of offences punishable under different sections of the Indian Penal Code: 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief).