Political parties must end UAPA, says human rights activist H. Haragopal

Hyderabad: Human rights activist Prof. Haragopal, against whom a UAPA case was withdrawn recently, said that any political party which seeks to come to power should categorically state that it would not implement the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Speaking at a roundtable meeting at the CPI office here to seek the withdrawal of the case against 152 other accused in the same case at Tadwai in Mulugu district, Prof Haragopal said: “The people should be made aware of the law and enlightened to question the political leaders. A party born out of a movement resorting to arrests of activists and those who question them depicts a sorry situation.”

The law which has so far been used against terrorists was now being used against writers, activists and should be questioned, said CPI state secretary Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao.

Prof. Gaddam Laxman said, “A meeting with all political parties will be held on July 1 in the Somajiguda press club and an open meeting held in Sundarayya Vignana Kendram on July 30.”

The meeting extended support to independent journalist Tulasi Chandu who is facing trolls and threats to her life and sought police protection for her.