Families of Anti-CAA activists question selective application of 'bail is the rule' principle
New Delhi: The families of activists imprisoned after the 2020 Delhi riots, including Umar Khalid, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Khalid Saifi, and Athar Khan, have voiced concerns over their prolonged detention. They argue that despite the Supreme Court's assertion that "bail is the rule," the activists continue to remain behind bars.
At a public meeting organized by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (ACPR), Umar Khalid's father, S.Q.R. Ilyas, questioned the impartiality of the judiciary, pointing to the continued incarceration of his son and others. He also raised concerns about the relationship between the executive and judiciary, citing a recent instance where the Chief Justice of India invited the Prime Minister for a publicised religious ceremony.
The families of these activists, who were charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in connection with the anti-CAA protests, highlighted their struggles. Farzana Yasmeen, the sister of Meeran Haider, expressed her family's pain but noted that Haider remains proud of raising his voice for justice. Athar Khan's mother, Noor Jehan, also voiced frustration, saying their case had appeared in court 62 times without a hearing.
Khalid Saifi’s wife, Nargis Saifi, highlighted the disparity in the judicial system, pointing out that her husband has been denied bail for over four years, while individuals accused of more severe crimes like rape and corruption have been granted bail.
Several prominent figures, including Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, attended the meeting. Singh criticized the RSS and its influence, arguing that the organization poses a threat to India's democracy and constitution.
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Pakistani troops violate ceasefire along LoC in J-K for 10th day
Jammu, May 4 (PTI): Pakistani troops continued unprovoked small arms firing in different sectors along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting effective retaliation by the Indian army, officials said on Sunday.
The ceasefire violation by Pakistan was reported from eight places spread across five districts in the Union Territory during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday but there was no report of any casualty, the officials said.
This was the 10th consecutive night of unprovoked firing from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir, amid heightened tensions following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.
“During the night of May 3 and 4, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor in J-K. Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately,” a defence spokesperson said.
The ceasefire violations along the LoC and International Border (IB) have been very rare since India and Pakistan renewed the ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021.
Taking precautionary measures, the panicked border villagers have already started cleaning their community and individual bunkers to make them habitable.
Since the night of April 24, just hours after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani troops have been resorting to unprovoked firing at various places along the LoC in J-K, starting from the Kashmir Valley.
Initially beginning with unprovoked small arms firing at several posts along the LoC in Kupwara and Baramulla districts of north Kashmir, Pakistan swiftly expanded its ceasefire violations to the Poonch sector and subsequently to the Akhnoor sector of the Jammu region.
This was followed by small arms firing at several posts along the LoC in the Sunderbani and Naushera sectors of Rajouri district. Subsequently, the firing expanded to Mendhar in Poonch district and the international border in Pargwal sector in Jammu district.
The renewed ceasefire violations come despite a recent hotline conversation between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, during which the Indian side is learnt to have cautioned Pakistan.
On April 24, Pakistan blocked its airspace for Indian airlines, closed the Wagah border crossing, suspended all trade with India, and warned that any attempt to divert water would be considered an "Act of War."
