AIP Backs Supreme Court Judge: ‘UAPA Overuse Not the Path to Viksit Bharat’
23/03/2026
Srinagar, March 23 (KIP)-Awami Itihaad Party on Monday welcomed the significant and timely observations made by Supreme Court Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on the misuse of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), calling it a “powerful reaffirmation of constitutional values and democratic conscience.”
In a statement issued here, AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said that Justice Bhuyan’s remarks that “mindless arrests under UAPA with negligible conviction rates cannot be a model for Viksit Bharat” have given voice to a concern long felt across many sections of society, particularly in regions like Jammu and Kashmir.
Inam said the data cited by the Hon’ble Judge, showing a conviction rate of around 5% under UAPA with over 95% acquittals, raises serious questions about the manner in which the law has been invoked. “When such a vast majority of cases do not lead to conviction, it naturally points towards overuse, if not misuse, of the law. The human cost of such actions, especially prolonged incarceration without timely trial, cannot be ignored,” he added.
Inam Un Nabi further appreciated Justice Bhuyan’s emphasis on protecting the space for debate and dissent, stating that democracy thrives not on silence but on dialogue. “The observation that dissent should not be criminalised and that diverse views must be respected is a reminder of the very spirit of our Constitution,” he said.
Highlighting the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the AIP spokesperson said that many individuals continue to remain behind bars for years, often far away from their families, with cases moving slowly through the judicial system. “The Hon’ble Judge’s remarks reinforce the need to relook at such cases with a humane and constitutional approach,” he stated.
Inam Un Nabi also lauded the broader vision articulated by Justice Bhuyan, where development is not merely economic but also rooted in justice, equality and dignity. “A truly developed India must ensure that laws are not perceived as instruments of fear but as protectors of rights,” he said.
He expressed hope that these observations would initiate a wider national introspection and lead to corrective measures where required. “Strength of a nation lies in its ability to course-correct. When voices from within the judiciary call for balance, fairness and restraint, it is an opportunity to reinforce trust in institutions,” he added.
Reiterating AIP’s consistent stand, Inam Un Nabi said that peace, stability and development can only be sustained through justice, dialogue and respect for democratic freedoms.