Amnesty International today called on Delhi Police to release JNU students union leader Kanhaiya Kumar and ex-Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani and drop sedition charges against them, saying the government and police are displaying an "appalling intolerance for dissent."
The police must also investigate multiple attacks on journalists, students and teachers who were beaten up by lawyers on February 15 at Kumar's hearing at a Delhi trial court, it said, adding thatseveral eyewitnesses say that police personnel did not intervene, despite repeated requests.
"The police failure to protect people from violent attacks inside court premises is mystifying. India's Prime Minister has spoken repeatedly at home and abroad of his government's commitment to the rule of law. Those promises are increasingly ringing hollow," said Tara Rao, Programmes Director at Amnesty International India.
"From arresting a student under a colonial-era law to failing to prevent attacks inside courts, the Delhi Police has shown a casual disregard for constitutionally guaranteed rights in recent days. This apparent disdain for the right to freedom of expression is both misguided and dangerous," Rao said.
The Delhi Police had arrested Kumar on February 12 for allegedly raising "anti-national" slogans at a peaceful demonstration inside JNU three days earlier. On February 16, the police arrested Geelani for organising an event where "anti-India" slogans were allegedly raised. Both were arrested under Section 124A of the India Penal Code, which makes the offence of sedition punishable with life imprisonment.
"Indian courts have ruled that expression can be restricted on grounds of public order only when it involves incitement to imminent violence or disorder. By branding people 'anti-national' merely for expressing opposing views, the central government and Delhi police are displaying an appalling intolerance for dissent," Rao said.
"The sedition law was used by the British to curb free expression during India's independence struggle. It's unfortunate that the government is using it now to silence and harass those with divergent opinions. In the interests of Indian society, this law must be immediately repealed," she added.
