Unjust and Oppressive Laws in India needs relook

The National Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB) statistics available online says; as of 31st December 2014, the total number of inmates in Indian jails were 4, 18,536 out of which under-trails alone were 2, 82,879 (67.6%). As per an article in Hindu in September 2014, the break-up of inmates constitute Muslims 21%, Schedule Caste 22.4% and Schedule Tribes 13.3%.

The criminal law in India does not authorize detention without-trail for unspecified period of time, unless it's an anti-National Crime. The draconian laws like TADA, POTA, AFSPA, were used for prolonged detention but now TADA and POTA are repealed after it was found to be extensive misused against Muslims, but AFSPA continues in some parts of the country like northeast and J & K.

Another vulnerable tool in the hands of law enforcing agencies to arrest Muslims, SC, ST, Adivasis and other weaker sections as young age as 16 is Juvenile Justice Amendment Act 2016. By using AFSPA many youths are thrown behind bars and left to languish without any trail or any legal remedy. Actually, 16 is the age when youthfulness is at its peak and arresting them at this tender age and putting them behind bars is inhuman form of justice.

In this context the recent turmoil in J & K where excessive and disproportionate use of force was made against the youth needs utmost attention. The use of metal pellets to disperse crowd has led to loss of eyesight of many youth and children. This is a gross human rights violation and every citizen is concerned about it in the country.

It's my humble opinion we need to do something constructive to handle all these impending issues. First we should not remain silent but raise our protest voice against such injustice which violates our fundamental rights.

Second, we create awareness on these issues through all the channels of mass communication special social media which is in our hands. Third we should mobilize support for this human cause and seek justice from those who are sitting in judgement.

Fourth, the members of civil society from different faiths and communities have to come forward and actively work for the release of the inmates who are languishing in jails.

Last but not the least such efforts should be supported in terms of personal and financial contributions from every section of the society who believes in democratic and plural way of society.

These measures alone could be a way forward to tackle such acts of oppression and injustices going on in our country.