Anti-terror laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) have been framed to instill fear among minorities so that they do not oppose the “oppression, plunder and loot” perpetrated by the ruling class, Delhi University lecturer S A R Geelani, who was acquitted in the 2001 Parliament attack case, said on Thursday.
Geelani was addressing a mammoth public meeting organised by the PFI here demanding repeal of UAPA. ‘’Just examine the list of people jailed under this draconian law. It’s either minorities, adivasis or various rights activists. This is because the ruling class sees them as potential resistors,” Geelani said.
PFI state president Karamana Ashraf Maulavi demanded that the ruling and Opposition parties in Kerala should unitedly pass a resolution in the Assembly stating that UAPA will not be implemented in the state.
Maulavi had undertaken a rally titled ‘Jana Vicharana Yatra’ from Kasaragod on May 8 demanding repeal of UAPA. The rally concluded with the public meet at the state capital.