Mangalore, Jun 28: Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), Karnataka, organised a symposium in the city on Friday, as part of its ten-day awareness campaign against the 'draconian amendments' in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 2008.
In his introductory address at the symposium organised at NGO Hall, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada district SDPI general secretary Akbar Ali highlighted the possibility of UAPA being misused by the police to harass innocent individuals. Largely targeting minorities such as Muslims and people from backward classes, he said that the law in question should be repealed.
Speaking on the occasion, senior advocate K Purushottam Poojary said that a person was innocent till he is proven guilty and it was wrong to keep him imprisoned till it was proven.
The UAPA is a determent to the basic fundamental rights provided to citizens of India under Article 19. Every person also has a right to apply for bail if arrested. According to the Article 21 in the Constitution of India, no person could be deprived of his personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law. While the procedure is so clear, what trial can be expected if bail is curtailed for a period of six months? If the law have to be rectified, it has to be questioned, he said, adding that measures had to be taken to repeal the UAPA.
High court advocate P K Ponnappa said that there was a need to examine whether there were any flaws in the existing system of law in the country. Based on our Constitution, the law of the country follows procedures as per the guidelines in it. The procedures associated with the law to examine and probe culprits indulging in terror activities should be lawfully right, without violating the basic fundamental rights of a person. If the fundamental rights of a person are violated during the course of law, there is a need to change it, which can be done through mass-protests, making amendments or by repealing it, he said.
Advocate from Madikeri Aboobaker said that according to the UAPA, a person could be arrested and kept imprisoned for six months, which could be misused to repress people from backward classes and minorities and curtail their fundamental rights.
Citing examples of individuals wrongly arrested and imprisoned under UAPA, he said that all nine cases registered under the act were against minorities. “Muslims and Dalits are wrongly portrayed as Naxals and terrorists and harassed during imprisonment, and are regarded with suspicion after their release. People have to be made aware of this draconian law, and fight for its repeal,” he said.
On the occasion, Mr Aboobaker said that he was pleased that the police had arrested the accused in the Manipal gang-rape case.
SDPI district president Aboobaker Kulai presided over the programme.
SDPI state secretary Akram Hasan, state committee member Alphonso Franco and district committee member Mohammed U B were present.
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