‘Misuse’ of UAPA: Rights groups highlight detention of women activists

By A Representative

A coalition of civil rights groups under the banner of the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) on Saturday called for the immediate release of women political prisoners lodged in jails across India under stringent security laws, particularly the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), saying many have spent years in prison without their trials reaching conclusion.

In a press statement issued on March 8 to mark International Women’s Day, CASR expressed solidarity with women around the world fighting for dignity, equality and justice, while highlighting what it described as the “continued incarceration of women activists, lawyers, teachers and grassroots organisers” under anti-terror provisions in India.

The organisation alleged that several women prisoners have been charged under the UAPA on what it termed “fabricated allegations” and have remained behind bars as undertrials for extended periods. According to the statement, the stringent bail provisions under the law often result in prolonged imprisonment even before the conclusion of trials, effectively turning the legal process itself into punishment.

Among those named by CASR were Syeda Asiya Andrabi, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, each reported as having been convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison. The group also listed several undertrial prisoners including Bellala Padma, an advocate who has reportedly spent two years and nine months in custody; Binda Sona, in jail for two years; Prabha, detained for two years and six months; Suneeta Potam, held for one year and nine months; and Sheela Marandi, who has spent over four years in custody. Other names mentioned include Jayeeta Das, Narla Vidya, Madakam Kosi, Savithri, Unnimaya, Kamala, D. Devendra, Ch. Shilpa and K. Shireesha.

CASR said the women named in the statement represent different regions and struggles but share what it called a common pattern of prosecution under anti-terror legislation. It said many of them come from marginalised backgrounds, including Adivasi and rural communities, and were engaged in grassroots activism related to land rights, civil liberties and social justice prior to their arrests.

“The misuse of UAPA to silence dissent and criminalise political belief has become increasingly visible,” the organisation said, adding that many of those incarcerated remain undertrials and are deprived of the fundamental legal principle that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The statement also raised concerns about prison conditions and the health of incarcerated women. According to CASR, several women prisoners have reported deteriorating physical and mental health due to prolonged imprisonment, inadequate medical care and harsh conditions in jail. It further alleged that some women have experienced severe reproductive health complications, including miscarriages while in custody.

Calling the situation a contradiction to the official narrative of women’s empowerment, the organisation said the continued incarceration of women activists under anti-terror laws raises broader questions about democratic rights and civil liberties in the country.

CASR demanded the immediate release of all women political prisoners jailed under UAPA and other stringent laws, access to proper medical care and humane treatment for those currently incarcerated, and speedy and fair trials for individuals who have remained undertrial for years. It also urged democratic institutions, women’s organisations, civil rights groups and citizens to raise their voices on behalf of the prisoners.

The statement was issued on behalf of CASR’s organising team, which includes a broad coalition of civil society organisations and advocacy groups working on issues of civil liberties, social justice and democratic rights.

Comments

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

Civil society flags widespread violations of land acquisition Act before Parliamentary panel

By Jag Jivan Civil society organisations and stakeholders from across India have presented stark evidence before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj , alleging systemic violations of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013 , particularly in Scheduled Areas and tribal regions.

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Beneath the stone: Revisiting the New Jersey mandir controversy

By Rajiv Shah A recent report published in the British media outlet The Guardian , titled “Workers carved the largest modern Hindu temple in the west. Now, some have incurable lung disease,” took me back to my visits to the New Jersey mandir —first in 2022, when it was still under construction, though parts of it were open to visitors, and again in 2024, after its completion.

Protesters in UK cities voice concerns over alleged developments in Bastar region

By A Representative Demonstrations were held across several cities in the United Kingdom on March 28, as groups and activists gathered to protest what they described as state actions in India under the reported “Operation Kagar.”

Search This Blog