By Mahmood Asim, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: Seventh consecutive ban on Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has been confirmed last month for five years extending the period of ban to 18 years by the Tribunal of Justice Suresh Kait under UAPA Act of 1967. But Ashok Agarwal, lawyer of SIMI is very clear about the fact that arrested people in the name of terror are not associated with SIMI. If it is proven then Government has every right to ban the organization. That is what I stand to defend in the court.
Speaking at JNU in a public meeting organized by Democratic Students Union (DSU) on the topic of ‘Communal persecution, imperialists war on terror and minority witch hunt: the continuing ban on SIMI’ on 20th of August, Advocate Agarwal said in a very clear tone that “people arrested in the name of terror are guilty or not I do not air any opinion about it but I assert that they have nothing to do with SIMI.” Citing the details of cases against SIMI members he explained how the charge sheets and recoveries are the same. “More than 90% basis for ban is only Confessions and Intelligence reports which are inadmissible and cannot be cross examined then to whom and how I testify the truth.” Agarwal wanders “Tribunal is doing farce proceeding when it relies upon intelligence.” He confirmed.
Abu Zafar
Referring to the fundamental rights to freedom of association and right to dissent Advocate Agarwal expressed his deep concerns saying “in a democracy if we lose these rights then it is a direct question on Democracy and same is the case with SIMI, if govt keep cases in pending for 13 years.” He said. Encouraging the efforts of civil society Advocate said that “to crush dissenting voices is modus oprandi of government, we cannot protect all rights except when civil society and citizen were aware and ready to struggle to get their rights.” Agarwal said.
Addressing the audience journalist Abu Zafar criticized the Atal Bihari Vajpai saying “when UAPA was tabled in parliament in 1967 he condemned the act and express concerns of misuse of the act but he and his government always did the same.” Abu Zafar said. Giving the details of evidences of police Abu Zafar also said that “Allama Iqbal and Mirza Ghalib poetry are considered inflammatory in some cases.” Citing a very ridiculous example of police he narrated that “once police went to arrest some SIMI members and asked about local president and vice president and then asked where this Allama Iqbal is?” he said “when SIMI was ban the recoveries are pamphlets, posters and no mention of it as a terror organization, then when and how it became involved in terror cases.” Abu Zafar asked.