The gun and the pen – On UAPA

Source– The post is based on the article “The gun and the pen” published in The Hindu on 1st november 2022.

Syllabus: GS 3- Role of non-state actors. GS 2- Fundamental rights

News- The article explains the observation by the PM in a conclave of state home ministers.

What are the main points of the PM ‘s speech at the conclave of state home ministers?

He called for elimination of all forms of Naxalism whether they are spreading violence through guns or gaining support and influencing youths through writings.

He emphasised on importance on Unlawful Activities Prevention Act to combat terrorism.

What are the issues raised by the speech?

Incitement to violence by mobilising support for armed insurgency is a grave offence. But if there is no proven connection between intellectual writings and violence, it is not logical to treat armed insurgency at par with intellectual writings in support of any ideology.

UAPA has been frequently and unfairly invoked in cases which have no linkages with terror. Umar Khalid in the Delhi riots case, and Jyoti Jagtap of the Kabir Kala Manch in the Elgar Parishad case are good examples of invoking UAPA and eliminating the need for showing concrete evidence to prove their involvement in incitement to violence.

UAPA is an impediment to liberty and subjected to judicial interpretations.

It leads to manipulation of political discourse in such a way that those who question the actions, methods and processes of the state that cause mass resentment are criminalised. The use of political catchwords like “urban naxals” should be seen in that context.