Study reveals more than 40% journalists charged under UAPA since 2010 were charged in 2020
Free Speech Collective's study, titled "Behind Bars” highlights Press Freedom concerns in India
The increasing number of journalists facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) in India has raised significant concerns about the state of press freedom in the country. Since 2010, a total of 16 journalists have been charged under the draconian UAPA, a law initially designed to curb terrorist activities. However, its recent application against journalists investigating various issues has raised questions about the criminalization of legitimate journalistic work and the stifling impact on their profession.
The UAPA's punitive process, aimed at making incarceration the norm and bail the exception, has led to prolonged legal battles for those charged. Out of the 16 journalists charged, two managed to secure their freedom, one through acquittal and the other via discharge. Over the past decade, charges related to patriotism, national security, and alleged anti-national activities have been included in the UAPA arsenal, exemplified by the recent arrest of Prabir Purkayastha, the editor of the news portal Newsclick.
The First Information Report (FIR) against Purkayastha and the head of its human resources department, Amit Chakravarty, cites multiple sections of the UAPA, including Sections 13 (unlawful activities), 16 (terrorist act), 17 (raising funds for terrorist acts), 18 (conspiracy), and 22 (C) (offenses by companies, trusts), along with Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 120B (criminal conspiracy). These charges, often used against journalists, highlight the broader issue of press freedom in the country.
The Free Speech Collective's study, titled "Behind Bars," which analyzed a decade of journalists arrested in India (2010-20), revealed that 154 journalists faced arrest, detention, interrogation, or show cause notices for their professional work. More than 40 percent of these instances occurred in 2020. Additionally, nine foreign journalists faced deportation, arrest, interrogations, or were denied entry into India, further indicating the challenging environment faced by the press.
In a democratic society, journalists serve as messengers of news and information. Silencing them not only hampers their ability to report on vital issues but also compromises citizens' democratic right to access information without fear.
List of Journalists Charged Under UAPA (2010 till date):
- Journalists Currently Charged Under UAPA: 16
- Journalists Behind Bars for UAPA: 7
- Journalists on Bail on UAPA Charges: 8
- Journalists Charged but Not Arrested: 1
- Journalists Acquitted: 1
- Journalists Discharged: 1
Journalists Currently Facing Legal Action:
- Arrested, in Police Custody:
- Prabir Purkayastha, Editor, Newsclick – Arrested on 03.10.2023, New Delhi
- In Prison:
- Aasif Sultan, Reporter, Kashmir Narrator – Arrested on 27.08.2018; Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
- Fahad Shah, Editor, The Kashmirwalla – Arrested on 04.02.2022; Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir
- Sajjad Gul, Trainee Reporter, The Kashmir Walla – Arrested on 05.01.2022; Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir
- Rupesh Kumar, Independent Journalist – Arrested on 17.07.2022; Ramgarh district, Jharkhand
- Irfan Mehraj, Editor, Wande Magazine – Arrested on 21.03.2023; Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
- Under House Arrest:
- Gautam Navlakha, Writer and Consulting Editor, Newsclick – Placed under house arrest on 30.08.2018; Surrendered and jailed on 20.04.2020; Reverted to house arrest on 19.11.2022
- On Bail (by Order of Arrest Date):
- Seema Azad, Editor Dastak, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh – Arrested in February 2010; Granted bail in August 2012; Raided on 06.09.2023
- Vishwa Vijay, Editor Dastak, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh – Arrested in February 2010; Granted bail in August 2012; Raided on 06.09.2023
- K K Shahina, Journalist Outlook – Case lodged in December 2010; Granted anticipatory bail in July 2011
- Siddique Kappan, Journalist, Azhimukham, Delhi – Arrested on 05.10.2020; Granted bail in UAPA case on 09.09.2023 and PMLA case on 23.12.2022
- Paojel Chaoba, Executive Editor, The Frontier Manipur, Imphal – Arrested on 17.01.2021; Granted bail on 18.01.2021
- Dhiren Sadokpam, Editor, The Frontier Manipur, Imphal – Arrested on 17.01.2021; Granted bail on 18.01.2021
- Shyam Meera Singh, Independent Journalist, New Delhi – Charged on 10.11.2021; Anticipatory bail granted on 18.11.2021
- Manan Dar, Photojournalist, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir – Arrested on 22.10.2021; Secured bail on 04.01.2023
- Charged but Not Arrested:
- Masrat Zahra, Photojournalist, Srinagar – Case registered on 18.04.2020
- Acquitted:
- Santosh Yadav, Bastar, Chhattisgarh – Arrested in September 2015; Acquitted on 02.01.2020
- Discharged:
- Kamran Yousuf, Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir – Arrested in September 2017; Secured discharge on 16.03.2022
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Ladakh a living land of dharma for centuries: Amit Shah
Leh/Jammu (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday described the return of sacred relics of Lord Buddha to Ladakh after 75 years as a "historic reunion" and said that the Union Territory has remained a "living land of dharma", preserving and nurturing Buddhist knowledge for centuries.
Stressing the relevance of Buddha's teachings in modern times, Shah said the message of peace, compassion and the middle path was even more important today than it was 2,500 years ago.
"Ladakh has been a living land of dharma for centuries. When the Dalai Lama comes here, he says this land is not merely a geographical land but a living laboratory of Buddhist culture and compassion," Shah said, speaking after the inauguration of the sacred holy relics exposition of Tathagata Buddha and the 2569th Buddha Purnima celebrations at Jivetsal in Leh during his two-day visit to Ladakh.
Calling Ladakh a land of compassion, he said this land has preserved and nurtured knowledge. "Whenever Buddhism faced crises, this land worked to protect the teachings of Buddha. And when peace returned, it helped to expand and carry forward that preserved wisdom," he added.
"Unless one internalises knowledge and makes it a part of oneself, liberation is not possible. Knowledge is incomplete without spiritual practice, while spiritual practice without knowledge is blind. Therefore, the union of spiritual practice and knowledge is the right path. Even after all this, if there is no moral discipline, one cannot lead a truly wise life. The basis of a life of wisdom is moral discipline," he said.
Shah said it was through Ladakh and adjoining routes that the teachings of Tathagata Buddha, which originated in India, spread to China and several other countries.
"The message that emerged from the land of Ladakh has become a guiding force for many people around the world to take their lives forward. The presence of these sacred relics in Ladakh reminds us that India's civilisation has, for thousands of years, given the message of peace and coexistence," he said.
He said that in a diverse region like Ladakh and Kargil, this message becomes even more relevant. "This heritage still tells us today that amidst conflict and unrest, only the path of peace and compassion can provide solutions."
He said the return of the relics on Buddha Purnima had enhanced the significance of the festival for the people of Ladakh.
"These sacred relics have come to Ladakh after 75 years. It is as if Buddha himself is present here today," Shah said, adding that followers of Buddhism and people of other faiths in Ladakh and Kargil would draw spiritual energy from the relics.
Highlighting Ladakh's role in the spread of Buddhism, Shah said Kashmir was once an ancient centre of Buddhist studies, Mahayana philosophy and Buddhist art, from where Ladakh first came into close contact with Buddhism.
He said Emperor Ashoka's envoys laid the foundation of Buddhist influence in Ladakh through Kashmir and Gandhara, while Mahayana Buddhism expanded in the region during the Kushan period between the first and third centuries CE.
The Silk Route linking Kashmir, Leh, Yarkand, Khotan and Tibet became a channel not only for trade but also for ideas, monks, manuscripts and artistic traditions, Shah said.
He added that later, Tibetan influence between the seventh and tenth centuries further enriched Ladakh through Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.
Stressing the relevance of Buddha's teachings in modern times, Shah said the message of peace, compassion and the middle path was even more important today than it was 2,500 years ago.
"Amid conflict and unrest, only the path of peace and compassion can provide solutions," he said.
Shah also appealed to the Ladakh administration to ensure complete arrangements so that followers of all faiths, especially Buddhists, could visit and pay obeisance to the relics.
#WATCH लेह, लद्दाख: केंद्रीय गृह मंत्री अमित शाह ने कहा, "जब दलाई लामा यहां आते हैं तो वे कहते हैं कि यह भूमि केवल भौगोलिक भूमि नहीं है। यह भूमि बौद्ध संस्कृति और करुणा की जीवंत प्रयोगशाला है। इस भूमि पर ज्ञान का संरक्षण हुआ है... भारत की सभ्यता हजारों वर्षों से शांति का संदेश… https://t.co/2nwG0w2CE6 pic.twitter.com/W13itRBqeX
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