ISLAMABAD: The Indian police filed sedition charges against Amnesty International (AI) after a video went viral of a person shouting azaadi (freedom) at an event ‘Broken Families’ that was called for discussions on the Indian atrocities in the India-held Kashmir.
The Times of India newspaper reported the incident. The event was called by the AI on satuday and was held at the United Theological College, JC Nagar. The purpose of the event was to invite the families from the region who had suffered at the hands of Indian forces and hear their problems and grievances.
The right-wing group however filed a complaint against the organisers and claimed that the attendants shouted anti-national slogans prior to the event. Some members of the right-wing group were also reported to have tried participating in the event to join the arguments. After the event ended, members of the student wing of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also staged a protest outside the venue.
The police informed that an FIR had also been lodged against the AI in India along with others, under Sections 124-A, 153-A, 142 and 147 of the Indian Penal Code, which relate to sedition, promoting enmity, unlawful assembly and rioting respectively.
The decision about which sections to apply was taken after long discussions according to a senior police who added that evidence such as the video footage was also available for examination. No arrests have been reported until the filing of this report.
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