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
This MLA will become PM in Incredible India.
Anything is possible in India until People wake up and fight for their rights instead of religion.
Naren Thailand/Singapore comment is missing. May be busy with applying for bail for this terrorist.
wow what a frustration ...bachalis from one particular community here are shouting and screaming at modiji ... lakalakalaka... in two years itself they came to know their back stabbing third rated work wont work with BJP anymore and if at all modi becomes PM for second time .. they are gone for ever .we nationalist indians are intelligent enough to figur out who is bad and who is good .. so pinkaan muchi koorabekaagi vinanthi .. hahahaha jihadi gala pinkaan ge benki idi
KILL HIM AT THE SPOT.
PLEASE THINK ALL VOTERS BEFORE ELECTING SUCH STUPID LEADER.
Dear all..dont become Anti nationalist by disgracing such a great Desh bakth MrMakanwala......thus Bhakth says
Feku will release him as early as possible.....
NRI PM MODI ACCHE DIN ( GOOD DAY) FOR GUJRATH PEOPLE
Indians should beat themselves by footwear for electing these goons everywhere.
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