Justice Ujjwal Bhuyan’s frank statement: Police action on environment and students’ protest called unfortunate

Supreme Court Justice Ujjwal Bhuyan has expressed deep concern over the shrinking democratic rights of freedom of expression and dissent in India. On Saturday, at the National Law Institute University (NLIU) in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, the fourth ‘Justice G.P. While addressing the ‘Singh Memorial Lecture’, he expressed his views openly on many burning issues.

‘Eating chicken biryani is not a crime’

During his address, Justice Bhuyan referred to a recent incident while raising questions on the inconsistent action of the authorities. He expressed strong objection to the arrest and denial of bail to the youth who ate chicken while sitting on a boat in the river Ganga. He said, “There is no law that prohibits eating chicken while sitting in a boat on river Ganga. The youth were arrested for eating chicken biryani while breaking their fast. I am sure that eating chicken biryani is not a crime. It cannot be a crime. Yet they were arrested and had to stay in jail for three months.” He raised serious questions on the legal basis of this action.

Concern over dissent and arrest of students

Justice Bhuyan said that the democratic space for expressing dissent is continuously decreasing in India. He said that it is unfortunate that today even normal civil activities are being put in the category of crime. He said that even students protesting peacefully on campus are being arrested and are not getting bail for several days.

Environmental protesters treated like ‘criminals’

Referring to those protesting on environmental issues, Justice Bhuyan said, “Those who come to express their concern and sorrow over the damage to the environment are chased away by the police as if they were criminals.” He said that the protesting students are not only arrested but also suspended, after which they have to fight a legal battle to resume their studies.

Questions raised on the strict bail conditions of the courts

Justice Bhuyan also expressed concern over the strict conditions imposed by courts while granting bail. He asked, “Courts are sensitive and grant bail, but sometimes there is a lot of delay. The biggest concern is the strict bail conditions. Are the courts indirectly discouraging citizens from expressing dissent through such strict orders?” His statement is being considered very important in the context of protecting democratic rights.