Q. With reference to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, consider the following statements:
1.The law treats the offenses related to terrorist activities and those related to unlawful activities equally.
2.It is only applicable to Indian citizens.
3.The UAPA is primarily used to prosecute individuals for expressing dissent against the government.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Statements 1, 2 and 3 are incorrect. The UAPA does not treat the offenses related to terrorist activities and those related to unlawful activities equally. The UAPA defines “unlawful activity” as any activity that is intended to disrupt the socio-economic life of the country, and it provides for a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for offenses related to unlawful activities.
The UAPA defines “terrorist activity” as any activity that is intended to cause terror or violence, and it provides for a maximum penalty of the death sentence for offenses related to terrorist activities.
The UAPA is not only applicable to Indian citizens. The UAPA is also applicable to non-Indian citizens who commit offenses in India.
While the UAPA does contain provisions that can be used to restrict freedom of speech and expression, it is primarily used to prosecute individuals who are involved in or suspected of being involved in terrorist activities or unlawful activities as defined by the Act. Expressing dissent against the government is not considered an unlawful activity under the UAPA unless it incites violence or hatred.
Source: ForumIAS
