Bengaluru, Jun 5: An FIR has been filed against former journalist and human rights activist Aakar Anil Patel in Bengaluru here over his comments on social media under charges pertaining to provocation with intent to cause riots.
The FIR was registered under Section 117 (abetting commission of an offence by the public or by more than ten persons), 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), and 505-1-B (intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the JC Nagar police station.
According to the FIR filed on June 2, Patel had tweeted that protests like the ones in the US over George Floyd's death are needed in India by the marginalised communities.
Patel, former chief of Amnesty International India, had on May 31 posted from his Twitter account, which is not verified.
On May 25, Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following which protests against police brutality and racism erupted in various cities in the United States. The protests were later replaced by incidents of violence across the country.
India also has witnessed several cases of mob lynchings and custodial deaths in recent years. In most cases victims belong to down trodden communities such as Muslims and Dalits.
Responding to the development, Amnesty International India has said that FIR against Patel is another example of how the right to dissent is being "increasingly" criminalised.
"The Bengaluru police must stop abusing its authority and put an end to the intimidation and harassment of Aakar Patel for exercising his constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression. People of this country have the right to agree or disagree with those in power, and to express these opinions in peaceful protests - without fear or unlawful interference," Amnesty International India Executive Director Avinash Kumar said.
He said that peacefully protesting against the government is not a crime and added that not agreeing with the policies of those in power does not make you a traitor.
Comments
With this 10 crores what are they supposed to do ? It does not work out to them.
WHAT is wrong when our ELECTED LEADERS celebrate the DIAMOND JUBILEE OF VIDHANASOUHDA..KARNATAKA PRIDE.... people /kanadigas must be PROUD of...as any one ask when Political leaders visit and crores are spent...what will be the cost ot HUGE PARTY of 75000 bike riding from all over KARANTAKA..do you think bike owners will participate without benefit.... what kind of TRAFFIC MESS WILL BE THIS... is this not MONEY... We people must consider celebration of any KARNATAKA PRIDE with out leaders...
Whether the Secretariat has heeded to CM's advice? and "..... With this, the plan to gift expensive items to the lawmakers during the celebrations has been dropped." Is it only for the time being and will they get the gifts later on in their office in a "Low Key affair" where nobody will come to know.
Aiyoo swami. Navu irode heege. Foriegn tripu (to study foriegn culture and system and implement in Karnataka), Vidhan Souda habba, seperate religion for lingayats, seperate flag for Karnataka etc etc. All these things must be done by CM and MLA's only. Otherwise the public will get angry that they have voted for non-performers. No other Govt has even thought about this. Great. Really great. Before next election, Siddu, please plan another foriegn trip along with your ministers and MLA's to study the road in developed countries. Ram Linga, neenu England di ge hogi, Scotland Yard police salehe togoli Gouri Lankesh killers na hege hidiyodu anta. Good chance to make a foriegn trip. Nobody will question. Book now. Family noo karkondu hogi. You cannot eat the food there. Your wife can make Jola da rotti with olle mosaru. Bombatu trip. If you have some other plan, then do not take your wife. Alli bread sigute.
Udaya Kumar chennagi helidiri. Innondu maatu. All these at the taxpayers money. Lancha hodiyodu allade kittu kondu tinnodu. Naachike illa ivarige.
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