Misuse of Preventive Detention: The Case of Sonam Wangchuk and the NSA
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Preventive Detention - Article 22, National Security Act - NSA, Fundamental Rights); Current Events of National Importance.
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): Indian Constitution—significant provisions; Fundamental Rights; Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States.
General Studies Paper 3 (Internal Security): Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security; Security challenges and their management in border areas.
General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics): Ethical dimensions of using state power; Probity in Governance.
Key Highlights from the News
The article strongly argues that the detention of Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent social and climate activist from Ladakh, under the National Security Act (NSA) is a misuse of the law.
Using preventive detention laws to suppress peaceful dissenters and those who express disagreements is anti-democratic.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly clarified that there is a clear distinction between a "law and order" problem and a threat to "public order".
Harsh laws like the NSA should only be used when there is a serious threat to public order. The author states that Sonam Wangchuk's activities do not fall into this category.
The article criticizes the government for conflating dissent with sedition.
The legitimate demands of the people in Ladakh, a strategically important border region, should be addressed through dialogue, not coercion.
The article demands Sonam Wangchuk's immediate release and the resumption of discussions.
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