Explained: Why is UAPA a draconian law?

Why do people charged under this law often find themselves without legal recourse?

You may lately have come across stories of activists and journalists being charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, or UAPA. The UAPA is an anti-terrorism law which has been used against activists associated with the Bhima-Koregaon movement, the citizenship law protesters, and even a journalist on his way to cover the Hathras rape and murder.

How is this law draconian and why do people arrested under it often find themselves without legal recourse after ending up in jail?

Meghnad S takes you through the history of the UAPA, its evolution from an anti-secession legislation to being an anti-terrorism law, and how it has been misused by successive governments.

Watch.

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[newslaundry]

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[amruta]

UAPA is double edged sword, It dances at the will of its Master.

[EautaSooch]

Put Arnab in jail under UAPA and then see how draconian this act really is. 🧐

[titus.sj.pune.]

When criminals are given charge of making laws, place for good people is obviously jail.

[vivinvincent]

seems like we live in India which has duality.. arnab can get a fast trCk on his bail hearing but the kerala journalist does not even get time wit the Supreme Court.. its shameful. going towards fascists tendencies
.

[madhavgoyal]

Atalji...how far down you party has fallen!

[satishpatil]

This is completely bizarre, insane, draconian black law

[NT]

They have already divided India through religion. They have pushed us to 1947 again. My friends support the doings of this party and show so much hate to every other religions. Don't know how we are going to recover from the mentality. This party has done so much damage and made India hollow.

[futureinvite]

If you want to apply UAPA
Apply to YOGi, Shah, Modi because they are doing all the unlawful activities...

[mohan]

All the three are not Godii Citizens. They are true Indians. UAPA :Anti Ruling Party is Anti National !

[shh]

absolutely fine and knowledgeable episode

[gargysatapathy]

One 52 years Paralysis patient is in Circle Jail Sambalpur(Odissa) from last 3 years. He is a maoist accused but his name is not in any maoist activity. Court neither give him bail not trail his case

[matjust]

Just think about it. You read a book on Maoist history out of academic interest. This law can be used to put you behind bars without bail for possession of that book. It has already happened in India.

[MegaMicraman]

The Congress needs to come out and say they will get rid of this law. Also police reforms etc. Then they may have a chance next time.

[aks]

Thanks for talking about such issues.. excellent journalism 👏

[weirdobeing]

The problem with sober media and voices of opposition (not Congress; they are B-Team of BJP) like Newslaundry and few others is that, they are only pointing out in a defensive way, while the BJP is misusing power in an aggressive way.
I detail what I said, for clarity; As our friend mentioned about how Sudha Bhardwaj, Umar Khalid, Kappan and others being put in jail imposing UAPA on them, he should have mentioned other cases too, which deserved to be acted upon under UAPA but the BJP government chose to turn a blind eye towards them.
I shall put few examples;
If 10 people were arrested for playing cricket on some terrorist's birth/death anniversary, then similarly all those who were celebrating Nathuram Godse and firing fake bullets at Gandhi Statue should also been booked under UAPA.
If Umar Khalid was booked for assumed Hate Speeches then Anurag Thakur, Kapil Mishra, and many others deserved to be booked under UAPA too.
If Sudha Bhardwaj & few others are alleged of being part of a conspiracy and 3 years down the line if NIA or Police are yet collecting evidences and filing chargesheets, then why wasn't Davinder Singh charged under UAPA, especially after being caught red handed in company of terrorists carrying arms. In fact, the Delhi Police (comes under Home Ministry of Mr.Amit Shah) failed to file a chargesheet in the given 100days and court had to grant him bail.
Dear Newslaundry, don't be so defensive and let's not be cry babies, "Dekho na, yeh log Kaisa Kar rahe hain" types... Let's ask tough and relevant questions and run a campaign around it.
Arnab's foolish case is heard in SC on priority but Stan is denied a sipper. I say denied, because the delay is as bad as denying.
Ask questions... Keep asking... And keep repeating...
This is India, not Hitler's Germany!
And my msg to RW blind devotees, don't forget you are people first, then supporters or voters of a political party. Vote whomsoever you wish, but stand by the truth and other fellow citizens. Many of the farmer's protesting must have voted to BJP but that Vote is not secrigaded by the ruling party. When it has brought in an Anti-Farmer Law, it is affecting them all. Farmers who were BJP voters aren't spared.
Aaj koi aur hai, kal tumhara number aayega.
So, before that Wake Up & Rise!
Save the Democracy!
Jai Siya Ram 🙏
Jai Hind 🇮🇳

[definiteworld]

In Delhi case bail order was granted but supreme court made a statement, not to use as precedent in other case.

[NATURELOVERAKAAnup]

Thanks for giving the detailed history of this law🙏🙏

[biharibabu]

"think about it" up has much more violent crimes and crimes related to gangs than any of the others states mentioned. Cm of up told that he'll be using this law of these personnel before they were even imposed.

[alittlecoding]

How is this even a thing? it's so scary.