LAKSHADWEEP DISSENT INVITES SEDITION CASE
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Filmmaker Aisha Sultana has been booked under sedition for calling Lakshadweep administrator Praful Khoda Patel a “bioweapon” allegedly launched by the Centre.
A case was filed against her on the basis of a complaint by Lakshadweep Bharatiya Janata Party chief C Abdul Khadar Haji on Thursday. Haji has alleged that Sultana’s comments, made during a debate over new rules introduced by Patel which people say will affect the “unique culture” of the island, were in “bad taste and intended to create hatred and aversion”.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Lakshadweep police have registered a case of sedition against filmmaker Aisha Sultana for allegedly calling the Union territory’s administrator, Praful Khoda Patel, a “bio-weapon” launched by the Centre.
Sultana, a Lakshadweep resident, allegedly made the comment during a TV debate amid anger in the region over new rules introduced by Patel, which his opponents say threaten the livelihoods of islanders.
The case against Sultana was lodged in Kavaratti on the complaint of Lakshadweep Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief C Abdul Khadar Haji on Thursday. In his complaint, Haji said her words were in “bad taste and intended to create hatred and aversion in the minds of people.”
According to the FIR lodged by Kavaratti police, a case under sections 124 A (sedition) and 153 B (hate speech) of the Indian Penal code has been registered against the filmmaker. She has been summoned to the police station on Monday. Sultana said she used the word but did not attack the country or the Union government. “I was referring to some of the decisions of Patel which infuriated local people. Despite popular sentiment, he continues to antagonise people. As a local resident I have a right to criticise him,” she said on Facebook. meanwhile, several local BJP leaders protested against the sedition charge slapped against the filmmaker.