UAPA being illegally weaponized to silence critics, says Congress

June 11, 2025 by News Desk

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The Congress on Wednesday accused the Modi government of using draconian laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to suppress dissent and intimidate critics, calling it part of a wider assault on democratic freedoms.

Pawan Khera, head of the party’s media and publicity department, cited data showing that between 2014 and 2022, only 2.55% of 8,719 UAPA cases led to convictions. “This exposes how the law is weaponized to target students, journalists, academics, and activists,” Khera posted on X.

Among those named were Anand Teltumbde, Nodeep Kaur, and Mahesh Raut, arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case. Teltumbde spent three years in jail before being released; Kaur, who got bail the same year, alleged custodial abuse. Raut has been in jail since 2018.

Student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have been imprisoned since 2020 for their alleged role in the anti-CAA protests. Journalist Fahad Shah was detained for 600 days under UAPA, while Irfan Mehraj, Prabir Purkayastha, and Amit Chakravarty are still in custody.

“These are not isolated cases but signs of a broader vendetta,” Khera said, pointing to court rulings that have pushed back against such arrests. He cited the Delhi High Court’s statement that “protest is not terrorism” when granting bail to activists Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal, and Asif Tanha, as well as the Supreme Court’s relief to journalist Mohammed Zubair and climate activist Disha Ravi.

Calling the misuse of UAPA a direct threat to India’s constitutional values, Khera said peaceful dissent must be protected. He also referred to Khalid’s writings from jail, which he said reveal the grim reality faced by political prisoners.