NEW DELHI: Internationally acclaimed Indian novelist Arundhati Roy is facing prosecution under a stringent anti-terror law for a speech she delivered in 2010 about the situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), according to reports in the Indian media.
The BJP-led Indian government has authorized the prosecution of the Booker Prize-winning novelist for her remarks criticizing Indian actions in Kashmir.
Arundhati Roy, 61, is among India’s most renowned authors, known for her literary prowess and activism. Her outspoken criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has made her a divisive figure within the country.
A criminal complaint charging her with sedition had been stalled in India’s slow-moving legal system since it was originally filed in 2010. The complaint alleges that Roy and others advocated for the secession of IIOJK from India.
The issue of IIOJK is highly sensitive in India, which has engaged in conflicts with Pakistan over control of the region, resulting in numerous casualties among Indian troops, militants, and civilians since a separatist movement began in 1989.
In 2010, Roy’s comments during a panel discussion sparked protests outside her home in New Delhi. Since the case was initiated, two of her co-defendants have passed away.
Last year, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena granted approval for the case to proceed in court. Recently, it was reported that Saxena sanctioned Roy’s prosecution under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which targets activities deemed unlawful and carries a penalty of up to seven years’ imprisonment.
Roy gained international acclaim as the first non-expatriate Indian to win the prestigious Booker Prize for her debut novel “The God of Small Things” in 1997. Her writing often addresses the struggles of marginalized communities in India, occasionally drawing criticism from the country’s elite.
In recent years, Roy’s vocal criticism of Modi’s government has made her a prominent target, with rights groups and others accusing the administration of targeting activists and stifling free speech.
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