Legal experts and movements release report on UAPA misuse, demand accountability

By A Representative

The National Alliance for Justice, Accountability & Rights (NAJAR), an initiative of the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), concluded a three-day national conclave in Dharwad, Karnataka, held from November 22 to 24, 2025. The gathering brought together legal professionals, senior advocates, activists, researchers, social movement representatives and law students from across the country to discuss the current democratic landscape and collective legal strategies.

The conclave opened with cultural performances and the distribution of constitutional preamble–themed material, followed by reflections on NAJAR’s two-year journey of legal interventions. The inaugural plenary, titled “Constitution in Crisis: Possibilities for Collaboration between Legal Fraternity and Progressive Movements,” featured Senior Advocate Gayatri Singh, activist Medha Patkar, advocates Vasudha Nagaraj and Jabeena Khanum, and academic Dr. Isabella Xavier. Speakers expressed concerns regarding the perceived erosion of constitutional values and the shrinking autonomy of democratic and judicial institutions, emphasizing the need for solidarity between legal experts and people’s movements.

Reports detailing NAJAR’s work since its inception and the performance of its Karnataka chapter were released. Over multiple thematic sessions, participants discussed gender justice, labour rights, civil liberties, environmental governance, forest and land rights, and the rights of marginalized communities, along with strategies such as public-interest litigation, legal aid systems, policy advocacy, fact-finding, research, capacity building and state-level mobilization. Law faculty and students explored ways to strengthen constitutional learning and critical legal education.

The conclave adopted several resolutions on ongoing national and international issues, including concerns related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, post-facto environmental clearances permitted by a recent Supreme Court judgment, judicial accountability and autonomy, opposition to the implementation of labour codes, and support for equity-based reforms in legal education. Resolutions expressing solidarity with struggles in Ladakh, Palestine and other people’s movements were also passed.

The Dharwad Declaration — outlining NAJAR’s principles and commitments for the coming year — was adopted unanimously. A key session titled “Plural Pathways Towards Comprehensive Justice” included speakers Adv. Indira Unninayar, Prof. Ganesh Devy, Adv. Albertina Almeida, Arvind Narrain and Adv. Seilenmang Haokip, who emphasized diverse approaches to securing justice.

During the conclave, NAJAR and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) jointly released a detailed report on the alleged misuse of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in cases in Hubli, affecting working-class Muslims. Participants later interacted with sanitation workers from Gulbarga and members of civil society organizations from Hubli-Dharwad, extending solidarity to their struggles for wages, safety and dignity.

A press conference was held in Hubli announcing the resolutions and the release of the report. The conclave concluded with multilingual slogans at the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Hubli.

A 25-member National Working Group was constituted to coordinate NAJAR’s activities. NAJAR also announced a nationwide campaign, the NAJAR Nyay Abhiyan, to be held from November 26, 2025 (Constitution Day) to January 26, 2026 (Republic Day), aiming to promote justice, accountability and constitutional values through decentralized actions across the country.

NAJAR said the conclave concluded with renewed commitment to supporting people’s movements and expanding democratic space.

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