[Reader-list] Censorship from an (Un)usual Quarter

[Jeebesh Bagchi]

A posting in continuation of the freedom of speech thread...j

http://news.indiainfo.com/2003/07/21/21simi.html

SIMI activists get 5 yrs under POTA, 7 for sedition
Monday, July 21 2003 21:24 Hrs (IST)

New Delhi: Two Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activists, including a 
US national, were on July 21 sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for 
sedition and five years imprisonment under Prevention of terrorism Act (POTA) 
for being members of the banned outfit.

Designated judge S N Dhingra also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 each on Mohammad 
Yasin Patel alias Falahi, a US national of Indian descent, and Mohammad 
Ashraf Jaffery, observing that they deserved no leniency in view of their 
actions "aimed at destroying Indian nationalism".

As the court pronounced the sentence, an unrepentant Patel told the judge, 
"This will strengthen our mission."

The duo was arrested by the Delhi police special cell from Jamia Nagar area in 
South Delhi on May 27, 2002 while they were pasting provocative posters on 
the wall of Jamia Millia Islamia University library.

The posters proclaimed "destroy nationalism, establish Khilafat". Police had 
also recovered 35 such posters from their possession.

They, police claimed, wanted to take up the cause after the attack on Muslims 
in Gujarat.

The Union Home Ministry by an order dated September 27, 2001 declared SIMI an 
unlawful organisation and banned it under the Unlawful Activities 
(Prevention) Act of 1967.

PTI