We must collectively raise our voices and demand “ the immediate release of Mufti Mehbooba ”: P Chidambaram
New Delhi:
Chief Congressman P Chidambaram criticized the center for extending the detention of former Jammu and Kashmiri Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for three months under the strict Public Security Act (PSA). This would make the duration of his detention greater than one year; she was first detained on August 5 last year, the day the center relinquished special status in Jammu and Kashmir and divided the state into two Union Territories.
“The prolongation of the detention of Ms. Mehbooba Mufti under PSA is an abuse of rights and a violation of the constitutional rights guaranteed to every citizen. How the 61-year-old former chief minister, a protected person in 24-hour security guard threatens public safety? “Mr. Chidambaram tweeted.
“She rightly rejected the offer to release her on terms any self-respecting political leader would refuse. One of the reasons given for her detention – the color of her party flag – was laughable,” tweeted the head of Congress.
The decision to extend Ms. Mufti’s detention under the PSA came on a day when People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone was released from detention just five days since he was held in protest against the move from the center to Jammu and Kashmir.
Ms. Mufti was first charged under the Public Security Act six months ago, and this is the third time she has been charged. Charges against her in the current phase expire on August 5.
“Why would she pledge not to speak out against the repeal of section 370? Isn’t that part of the right to free speech? I’m one of the counsel appearing in a case before the CS challenging the repeal of section 370. If I speak against Art 370 – as I must – is it a threat to public safety? We must collectively raise our voices and demand “release Mehbooba Mufti immediately” ” Mr. Chidambaram tweeted.
Why would she pledge not to speak out against the repeal of section 370? Isn’t that part of the right to freedom of expression?
– P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) Aug 1, 2020
Under the Public Security Act or the PSA, a person can be detained multiple times without any trial. The rights group Amnesty International called the PSA “law without law”.
Omar Abdullah, who was released from detention in the last week of March, just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the coronavirus lockdown, called the extension of Ms. Mufti’s extension “incredibly cruel and retrograde “.
