Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ Thirteen North American and Canadian diaspora organizations have issued a joint statement urging the Indian government to cease persecuting its critics and drop the charges against writer Arundhati Roy and former professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain. The charges, sanctioned by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor under Section 45 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, are connected to a 2010 speech accusing them of “delivering provocative speeches in public.” This move is seen as the latest manifestation of Modi’s authoritarianism, especially following the BJP’s electoral setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The statement highlights the aggressive behavior of the Modi regime toward dissidents, emphasizing that the invocation of UAPA after 14 years is problematic. Political parties like TMC, CPM, and CPI have condemned the prosecution as fascist. The UN Human Rights office also expressed concern over the misuse of anti-terror law in India, urging authorities to drop cases against Roy and Hussain for their comments on Kashmir.
Amid these developments, Roy was honored with the prestigious Pen Pinter Prize 2024, reinforcing her status as a global advocate for free speech. The diaspora groups call for an end to the oppressive measures and the protection of constitutional freedoms in India. They argue that the prosecution of Roy and Hussain under the UAPA is a blatant attempt to silence critics and stifle dissent.
The undersigned organizations include the Punjabi Literary and Cultural Association, Winnipeg; Gursharan Singh Memorial Lecture Committee, Vancouver; Progressive Cultural Association, Calgary; Taraksheel Society of Canada; South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD), Vancouver; CERAS (Centre sur l’asie du sud), Montreal; South Asian Women’s Community Centre (SAWCC), Montreal; Teesri Duniya Theatre, Montreal; Femmes de diverses origines/Women of Diverse Origins (FDO-WDO), Montreal; Canadian Forum for Human Rights and Democracy in India (CFHRDI); Secular Peoples Association of Edmonton; South Asian Diaspora Action Collective (SADAC); and India Civil Watch International (ICWI).
These organizations demand the Indian government cancel the prosecution of Arundhati Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain and stop persecuting distinguished writers for exercising their freedom of speech. They emphasize the importance of upholding democratic values and protecting the right to dissent in India, warning that continued repression could have severe implications for the country’s future.
