Image Courtesy:freepressjournal.in
The Rajya Sabha was informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), that 183 people have been arrested by Delhi Police in connection with the farmers’ protest since 2020 upto July 20, 2021, and that all of them are out on bail. The MHA also said that according to the Delhi Police, provisions of sedition or any anti-terror law such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, have not been invoked in any of the cases registered against the protesting farmers.
On January 26 this year, the Delhi Police crime branch named 16 suspects in the charge sheet for allegedly turning violent during the Republic Day Parade. According to media reports, the Delhi Police had stated that the violence was “a deep-rooted, well-orchestrated conspiracy.” It contended that the accused used the “very auspicious occasion” to hoist the Nishan Sahib and Kisan Flag at Red Fort “in order to cause embarrassment and humiliation at the national and international level to the people of this country”, as reported by the Indian Express.
Speaking of anti-terror laws, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), under the Central government had booked the banned ‘Sikhs for Justice’, under the draconian UAPA, on December 15 last year for allegedly entering into a conspiracy of collecting huge funds for an on-ground propaganda against the Government of India. In the midst of the farmers protests against the three legislations, the NIA had claimed that such funds are also being used to stage demonstrations outside the Indian missions at United Kingdom, Canada, United States and the donations are being sent through certain NGOs to pro-Khalistan elements based in India to undertake acts of ‘terror’ and create fear in the minds of the people. The NIA FIR may be read here.
The NIA had also summoned at least 40 people, directly or indirectly associated with the ongoing farmers’ agitation, to appear for questioning in connection with the above mentioned case filed against the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), among others. Summons had also been sent to members of Khalsa Aid, an international social organisation that had set up food stalls, and provided foot massage machines and geysers to farmers protesting at Delhi borders since November 26. Khalsa Aid, interestingly, has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Canadian politicians Tim Uppal and Patrick Brown.
According to a Times of India report, around 25 FIRs have been filed in different police stations in New Delhi after the Republic Day violence. A press release from the Delhi Police Special Cell, as reported by Business Standard, read, “The Kisan Andolan turned violent on January 26, 2021, leading to damage of public property in several parts of the national capital. Public property worth several crores of rupees were damaged by violent mobs and 394 police personnel sustained injuries while performing their lawful duty….A criminal case has been registered and is being investigated under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sections of IPC dealing with sedition. The role and conduct of organisations and individuals based in India, as well as those out of the country, is being probed. The investigation is in progress and further details will be communicated in due course.”
Farmers have been protesting against the three contentious farm laws since last year, and have not been able to seek relief from the government despite several rounds of talks and negotiations. Besides farmers, people advocating for their rights have also been booked for sedition. The young environmentalist, Disha Ravi, spent close to 10 days in jail under sedition charges, for editing a toolkit containing the list of protests planned all across the country.
The answer may be read here:
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