The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government’s public relations machinery appears to have gone into a fiction writing overdrive, floating conspiracy theories that are even more convoluted than the plotlines of Indian day-time soap operas.
A section of the media, that is perceived to have pledged allegiance to the regime, is now reporting that Amnesty International could be investigated for their alleged involvement in sparking caste-tensions in Hathras! While one such media outlet quoted unnamed sources in the Enforcement Directorate as saying Amnesty received funds from Islamic nations for creating caste-based unrest to defame the Adityanath regime in UP, another reported that the human rights organisation was allegedly hand-in-glove with Muslim political groups like the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) who are perceived to be Islamic hardliners. The second media outlet quoted unknown sources as saying that anti-CAA protesters had created the (now defunct) website justiceforhathras.com that was used to spread fake news, hate speech, edited videos and pictures to incite hate and violence. This website is allegedly linked to Amnesty, PFI and SDPI, though it is not clear how.
What is significant though is the timing of these stories. Just yesterday, the UP Police filed multiple FIRs across the state in the Hathras case alleging an “international conspiracy” to defame the Adityanath government. Charges include sedition, promoting religious hate, inciting caste divides, religious discrimination, doctoring electronic evidence, a conspiracy against the state and defamation. There are also charges related to non-compliance with Covid-19 social distancing protocols.
‘Upper-caste’ groups are already busy giving the situation their own spin. They have already held major meetings to change the narrative and claim that the accused are innocent. One such meeting was held a stone’s throw from the victim’s house, in what appears to be an intimidation tactic. Meanwhile, Delhi Police were the first to register cases against peaceful protestors demanding justice for the Hathras gang rape victim, a few days ago. The protestors had gathered at Jantar Mantar, and according to police they violated Section 144 CrPC, charged them under section 188 of IPC, 3 Epidemic Act and 51(b) Disaster Management Act.
Amnesty recently shut down its India operations after the Ministry of Home Affairs froze their bank accounts for allegedly violating provisions of the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act (FCRA). This latest set of allegations appears to feed right into the narrative of ‘foreign funds being used for anti-national activities’ that has long been peddled by a vindictive regime against human rights organisations that expose its excesses.
Related:
Hathras horror: UP Police file 19 cases across the state, charges include sedition
Caste attacks on Dalits continue: Panchayat to support rape and murder accused!
UP Police breached the law in Hathras
UP Police now claim that Hathras Dalit victim was not raped!