India expands the usage of the draconian anti-dissent draconian UAPA

On 24th March, the Supreme Court of India overruled its 2011 judgment holding that mere membership of banned associations is not sufficient to constitute an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act offense but that it needs to be accompanied with overt violence.

It is important to note that the UAPA has been systematically used to detain pro-freedom Kashmiris, journalists, human rights defenders, and political activists. Numerous pro-freedom and socio-religious welfare organizations in Kashmir have been banned by the Indian government, and the aforementioned Supreme Court ruling shall result in the legitimization of increased detentions, expulsions from employment, seizure of houses, of all members of these banned organizations[8].

[8] https://thewire.in/law/banned-organisation-membership-uapa-arup-bhuyan-supreme-court