‘TOOLKIT’: Nothing on Violence or Sedition
Justice Deepak Gupta expressed his thoughts by saying that; every citizen of this country has a right to oppose the government as long as the opposition is peaceful. This particular statement was made when a 21-year old climate activist Disha Ravi was remanded to 5-day custody by a Delhi Magistrate.
In the Court, Public Prosecutor alleged that Disha was part of a large conspiracy against the country. But Disha denied such an allegation and said she was just supporting farmers because they are the future of the country. Also, she doesn’t know about any of such groups related to the conspiracy. Additionally, she said that she didn’t create any of the ‘toolkit’.
After reading the ‘toolkit’ document available in the public domain, the court said that there were nothing regards to violence or incitement to the people on that toolkit. “I don’t see what is seditious about this document”, said Justice Gupta.
Additionally, Vikas Sigh a senior Advocate of the Supreme Court, observed that day by day state is becoming intolerant to dissent. People hold the right to free speech.
On the question of application of judicial mind for the judicial custody of Dish Ravi, Justice Gupta responded; “I’ve seen many cases where they seem to have forgotten that bail, not jail is the rule”.
Senior advocates opined that there is a need to separate facts from fiction. Also bringing Disha Ravi in Delhi without being produced before the Magistrate in Bengaluru need to be scrutinized.