HRLN, MSAD condemn detention of Kishorchandra
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 29 2019:
The Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) and the Manipur Students' Association Delhi (MSAD) have demanded immediate release of journalist Kishorchandra Wangkhem who is currently detained under the National Security Act (NSA) for criticising the State Government.
Speaking to media persons at Delhi today, Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) founder and senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves condemned the attack on freedom of speech and expression.
"Sedition law is not understood properly.
In the old English law, thinking or saying a few words in privacy against the crown was punishable.
Things may be offensive and abhorrent but it has nothing to do with sedition law unless torts and words are supported by actions" .
Justice Markandey Katju, former Judge of Supreme Court and former chairman of Press Council of India said, "Undemocratic politicians have lost their minds, people are allowed to dissent to the Govt in a democracy.
In a democracy people have the right to criticize the Govt and democracy means people are supreme.
There have been many cases where artists, cartoonist and journalists have been attacked.
This is my appeal to the people of Manipur to become the leader and guide the way and start a movement" .
Kishorchandra Wangkhem, a journalist in Manipur, was arrested under National Security Act (NSA) on November 27, 2018, for a video he uploaded on social media.
In the video, Kishorchandra is seen criticizing the N Biren Singh's Government for comparing the fight of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi against the British with that of Manipur's freedom movement against the colonial rule.
The Government's decision to detain the journalist under NSA came as a shock to the journalist and human rights community.
On November 26, a day before his detention under NSA, a lower Court hearing a charge of sedition brought against Wangkhem for the same video, had released him on bail stating that what was said in the video was not seditious in nature.
Less than 24 hours after he was released on the Court's order, Kishorchandra was picked up by local police and later charged under the NSA.
Ranjita Elangbam, wife of Kishorchandra narrated how their lives were turned upside down only because her husband and journalist decided to criticize the Government.
HRLN has been fighting the case of journalist Kishorchandra and February 1 is the next hearing.
In modem India, the "state" is not free to act in any manner it likes, it is inconceivable that a civilized country would use preventive detention as a substitute for the criminal law.
National Security Act has been misused and abused far too often as a political weapon of those in power against their political or ideological enemies and to curtail the dissent voice, said a statement issued by HRLN.
The meeting was attended by Sabina Inderjit, general secretary, Indian Journalist Union (IJU) and the Vice President of International Federation of Journalist (IFJ) .
Sabina Inderjit said IJU strongly condemned the arrest of Kishorchandra under NSA by the Manipur Government.
Sabina reportedly told to Ranjita, wife of Kishorchandra "We are with the family of Kishorchandra.
You are not alone in this fight" .
Deputy editor at The Wire, Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty also took part in the press conference cum public meeting.
Sangeeta appealed to Chief Minister N Biren to recognize the sentiment behind this discontent like any good leader would and release Kishorchandra from custody.
Comment
