Justice Ujjal Bhuyan says Viksit Bharat must allow dissent and protect civil liberties
The Facts
- Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said India’s Viksit Bharat goal for 2047 cannot be achieved by criminalising dissent.
- He made the remarks at a Supreme Court Bar Association conference in Bengaluru focused on the judiciary’s role in Viksit Bharat.
- Bhuyan criticised the use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, saying arrests under the law and low conviction rates show overuse or misuse.
- Several reports said Bhuyan cited data from 2019 to 2023 and said thousands of people were arrested under UAPA while the conviction rate was around 5%.
- He said a developed India should also address caste-based discrimination and atrocities against Dalits.
- Bhuyan also said the judiciary should remain independent and neither be an 'eternal critic' nor a 'cheerleader'.
- Some reports said he also raised concerns about the poor representation of women in the higher judiciary.
Context
What did Justice Bhuyan say about dissent in a developed India?
He said Viksit Bharat should have more space for debate and dissent, and that dissent should not be criminalised Hindustan Times News18 Times of India.
What did he say about UAPA?
Bhuyan criticised what he described as the overuse or misuse of UAPA, saying thousands were arrested under the law from 2019 to 2023 while conviction rates remained around 5% News18 New Indian Express Assam Tribune.
Did he mention other issues beyond dissent and UAPA?
Yes. Reports say he also linked Viksit Bharat to addressing caste-based discrimination, atrocities against Dalits, and the underrepresentation of women in the higher judiciary News18 Economic Times Times of India Business Standard Telegraph Devdiscourse.
The receipts — all 13 sources
Wire services (1)
Independent coverage (12)
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