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A division bench of the Bombay high court had, on April 10, followed some strange reasoning while denying relief to

a  college teacher in Kolhapur. The teacher had sought quashing of an FIR against him for posting two messages on his WhatsApp status, one of which was critical of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir . https://thewire.in/law/why-bombay-hcs-denial-of-free-speech-on-the-basis-of-profession-is-problematic 

According to the bench, this is all the more so when the emotions and sentiments behind a particular t

hing or aspect being criticised run high with different shades and hues among different groups of people. In such a case, the bench held that the criticism, disagreement, difference of opinion, dissent, whatever one may choose to call it, must be expressed upon an in-depth analysis and accompanied by reasons, so that the appeal that such critique makes is not to the emotions of groups of people but to reason.

by V. Venkatesan

17/04/202 

Use of the various seminar halls now depends on the pleasure of the university authorities. The spaces are usually given only for events with “nationalistic” themes. For members of the university community and organisations already marked for their scepticism towards India’s new brand of hyper-nationalism, there is no question of finding a place to discuss their ideas.

https://scroll.in/article/1046435/indias-thought-free-universities-and-the-danger-of-the-ripples-from-a-single-dissenting-pebble 

by Apoorvanand

31/03/2023

HC nod to hold seminar on ‘fascism’ after Delhi Police deny permission  https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/hc-nod-to-hold-seminar-on-fascism-after-delhi-police-deny-permission/ The plea sought for quashing of a March 9 order issued by SHO police station IP Estate "unilaterally denying the permission to the Petitioners for organizing a private Programme which is a National Seminar to be conducted through a platform called ‘Bharat Bachao’ mere 36 hours (2 days) before the event".

Keeping in view the “apprehension of mishappening” in the mind of the authorities the HC directed, that the petitioners will compile a list of invitees to the two day seminar along with details of their residence, identity cards and submit the same to SHO IP Estate by 9pm Friday.

Comment: Seeking police permission for indoor, by invitation hall meetings is a bad precedent. It diminishes private space and the freedom of association.

Delhi High Court Allows Holding Of Seminar On Fascism, Asks Organizers To Give Invitees’ Details To Police Nupur Thapliyal 11 Mar 2023 https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/delhi-high-court-holding-bharat-bachao-seminar-fascism-parties-peaceful-atmosphere-223506 The counsel appearing for the Delhi police submitted that the anxiety of the police authorities would be satisfied if certain information is provided

Seminar on Fascism: The World's Experience and its Indian Characteristics  https://mlupdate.cpiml.net/2023/01/25/seminar-on-fascism-the-worlds-experience-and-its-indian-characteristics  Com Dipankar Bhattacharya, General Secretary of CPIML The general public votes for basic needs like employment, housing, education and health, but the Sangh-BJP are instead misusing the power to push their corporate-oriented communal agenda. Today, communal hate mongers, murderers, rioters and corrupt people who embezzle trillions of government money are roaming free, but the social and political activists who raise their voice and struggle for the rights of Dalits, labourers, youth, adivasis and minorities are becoming victims of state persecution, lies and fake propaganda.

:The Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall Committee today organised a seminar on growing jingoistic nationalism that has been causing adverse affects to the aura of bonhomie in the country https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/jalandhar/seminar-on-growing-fascism-held-214490 Dr Apurvanand, Head of Hindi Department, Delhi University, said, "The rights of people, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech and expression, and democratic values are being suppressed terribly by the jingoistic nationalism in the country. The students are being charged with the sedition cases and basic rights of the people are being oppressed by the fascist ideologue."