Outcry over move to prosecute Arundhati

The grant of sanction by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to prosecute author Arundhati Roy, who is a known critic of the Narendra Modi government, under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for an alleged 'provocative' speech made by her in 2010, on Saturday triggered a war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition leaders.

- GAURAV VIVEK BHATNAGAR

While the Opposition slammed the authorisation of prosecution as "condemnable" and one aimed at "crushing dissent", the BJP hit back accusing such parties of being empathetic towards "separatist and terrorist organisations".

The Delhi L-G had on Friday granted permission for "prosecution of Arundhati Roy and former Professor of International Law in Central University of Kashmir, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, under section 45 (1) of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act" for their comments at a conference over a decade ago.

The others who had made speeches included late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, SAR Geelani, who was also the anchor of the Conference and prime accused in the Parliament attack case, and Varavara Rao.

The Opposition has, however, slammed the move. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) in a post on 'X' said the move was "condemnable" as the sanction was granted "under the draconian UAPA for a speech reportedly made 14 years ago in 2010."

It added that the move "defies logic except the fascist kind" and claimed that the "timing is suspect since courts are on vacation, as are lawyers."