Freedom of speech is an empowering right in a democracy and strengthens pluralism which is a defining feature of open societies. But freedom of speech can also become an instrument of subversion, a dangerous weapon in the hands of those out to wreck social amity and national integrity. As much was evident on Thursday during a convention organised in New Delhi by the so-called 'Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners', a Maoist front organisation, on a theme that should have raised hackles in North Block: 'Azadi — The Only Way'. Tellingly, the proceedings at the convention were conducted by SAR Geelani, among the prime accused in the Parliament House attack case who escaped punishment due to poor prosecution; notwithstanding the fact that as a lecturer in Zakir Hussein College he is kept in comfort by India's taxpayers, he misses no opportunity to incite violence and encourage war against the state. The pro-azadi harangue of All-Party Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, whose pro-Pakistan and anti-India views are common knowledge, need not distract attention from the open call to Kashmiris to secede from "bhookey-nangeyHindustan" by author-activist-anarchist Arundhati Roy who incited students of Aligarh Muslim University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University to "fight for the cause of separate Kashmir… a cause that is your future". This is not the first time Arundhati Roy has brazenly indulged in encouraging enemies of the nation and urging terrorists to wage war on the state. In the past she has joined secessionists in Srinagar, most notably during the anti-Amarnath Yatra agitation, and lent her voice to their demand for azadi. She has also portrayed Maoists as 'innocent victims of state terror' and not hesitated to gloat over the killing of security forces by the far-Left insurgents. If secessionists and insurgents pose a serious danger to our internal security, as the Prime Minister has once again reminded us on Friday, then the threat emanates as much from killers with guns as their publicists like Arundhati Roy. The cloak of 'intellectual dissent' is a convenient cover for their treachery.
Thursday's convention that saw the coming together of individuals who qualify to be designated enemies of the state raises two important questions. First, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs owes an explanation as to how such an event, whose proceedings have in no manner contributed to healthy and open debate but allowed secessionists and patrons of terrorists to sneeringly cock a snook at the state, was allowed in the first place. The venue of the convention is a short distance from North Block; the fact that Delhi Police and IB personnel were present proves Government was fully aware of what had been planned. Second, the law is supposed to be equally applicable to all. In that case, why is it that Arundhati Roy has not yet been charged with anti-national activities and prosecuted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act? The same law has been used for arresting and prosecuting individuals who are guilty of far less. Are we then to presume that she enjoys immunity from the law? If yes, then at whose behest?
