At a public discussion on dissent and the diminishing democratic space, actor Prakash Raj cautioned that “Indian right-wingers are waiting for Israel to achieve their genocide so that they can do that too.” The event, organized by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights India, focused on the theme “Longing for Justice: Continuous Denial of Bail & Caging Dissent” and took place on Wednesday, where Raj criticized the government for suppressing dissent.
Raj emphasized the need for citizens to comprehend that the current right-wing government, along with other right-wing governments globally, aims to normalize genocide. He pointed out that young dissenting voices are imprisoned because “they are the future leaders, they are educated, they have a voice, and yes, they are Muslims. That is why the government is afraid of them.”
He stated that the prevailing atmosphere of fear is evident in society, illustrating this with a personal anecdote about a friend who simultaneously admires Bollywood actors yet harbors fears of Muslims. “He was the victim of WhatsApp University,” Raj noted.
Addressing the unresolved murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, Raj expressed concern that, despite identifying the perpetrators, their eventual freedom is likely due to political influence.
In a moment of levity during the discussion, when a journalist requested him to speak in Hindi, Raj humorously responded in English, “Hindi nahi aata hai” (I don’t know Hindi), garnering applause and drawing an implicit critique of ongoing debates surrounding Hindi imposition.
Raj recounted grim scenarios of communal violence, underscoring the construction of narratives that justify mob violence. He stated that if society does not affirm the principle that “no human is illegal on this earth,” future genocides could occur, asserting, “The only way is resilience… I have hope.”
Reflecting on his visit to activist Umar Khalid’s home, Raj claimed that the resilience of Khalid and his friends inspires hope against government oppression. He emphasized that the government’s strategy aims to weaken dissenters, urging a collective effort to raise voices.
“I speak against the system, against this inhuman government, against its politics,” Raj declared. He quoted Palestinian poet Marwan Makhoul, highlighting that art must emerge in peaceful contexts, away from conflict.
The event aimed to address the ongoing bail denial faced by anti-CAA activists incarcerated for over five years under stringent laws. It consisted of a Lawyers’ Panel discussing state repression, followed by speeches from notable figures, including Raj.
Former IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan, who resigned to protest the abrogation of Article 370, reiterated that judicial accountability is pivotal, stating, “Justice is not the judge’s charity.” He discussed how state strategies often incite communal conflict to divert attention from governmental accountability.
Raj’s sentiments resonated throughout the gathering, with attendees, including family members of jailed activists, emphasizing the urgency for change.
During the program, Advocate Colin Gonsalves questioned the use of anti-terror laws against individuals who had not committed violent acts, emphasizing that such judicial practices undermine justice. He remarked on the long-term detention of activists without trial, underscoring that “the greatest weapons” against oppression are intellect and determination.
Attorney Prashant Bhushan highlighted the problematic allocation of sensitive cases to specific judges, suggesting this is a tactic to deny justice. Sanjay Hegde further stressed that denying bail indefinitely constitutes political imprisonment and a violation of constitutional rights.
Advocate Shahrukh Alam questioned the basis of prosecutions, stating, “In a democracy, dissent cannot be called a conspiracy,” while Nitya Ramakrishnan remarked on the reversal of logic in treating expression as an offense.
The event was marked by discussions surrounding bail pleas for numerous anti-CAA activists, with the Delhi High Court recently dismissing bail for nine of them. Critics have described the continued incarceration without trial as politically motivated and detrimental to democracy, particularly targeting Muslim activists utilizing the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act as a punitive tool against dissent.
The ongoing legal struggles for numerous activists highlight systemic issues within the judicial process and the potent risks of state repression against dissent in contemporary India.
Tags: Prakash Raj, anti-CAA activists, Muslims, government fear, jailed activists
Hashtags: #Muslims #govt #fears #Prakash #Raj #jailed #antiCAA #activists
