In a recent interview on a YouTube channel, Seshadri was critical of the judiciary while answering a question regarding the Manipur violence.
Published Jul 30, 2023 | 5:52 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 30, 2023 | 5:53 PM
Madras Reporters Guild.
The Madras Reporters Guild condemned the arrest of journalist-writer and publisher Badri Seshadri and his remand in judicial custody for his alleged derogatory comments regarding the Manipur violence.
Demanding that the government release him immediately, the guild — also known as the Chennai Nirubargal Sangam — said there was absolutely no need to arrest Seshadri for his comments, however unpalatable they or even derogatory might have been.
The government had the option to file a case against the writer and allow the law to take its own course, rather than take recourse to arrest, which comes in the way of freedom of speech and expression as well as civil liberties, it added.
It is upon the courts to take action, as they deem fit, in cases of contempt of court, if necessary, said the guild.
The guild said it viewed with concern the strategy of governments all over the country, including those led by the BJP, to “straightway arrest persons for comments in the mainstream media and social media” rather than taking the prosecution route.
“The previous AIADMK government filed a large number of defamation cases and also arrested newspersons. We request Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to not follow this example,” the guild’s President R Rangaraj and Secretary D Sekar said in a statement on Saturday, 29 July.
The guild condemned the arrest and remanding of Seshadri in judicial custody till 11 August.
The journalists’ body urged Stalin to facilitate the immediate release of Seshadri and give necessary instructions to the police department not to arrest people for comments in the public domain on current affairs.
“Arrest should be the last resort and only on the basis of final court judgements after the due legal process has been followed,” it said.
In an interview on a YouTube channel on 22 July, Seshadri was critical of the judiciary while answering a question regarding the Manipur violence.
Referring to the remarks of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, that the court would interfere in the Manipur issue if the Union government failed to take action, the publisher questioned the knowledge of the judges about the ground reality in the Manipur issue.
He went on to question whether the CJI would dare to stand in Manipur wielding a gun.
Following this, Kaviyarasu, an advocate and resident of Kunnam, lodged a complaint with the local police, stating that Seshadri’s interview was mocking the Chief Justice of India and also defaming the honour of the Supreme Court and the judicial system of the country.
Stating that the publisher’s statement amounted to causing enmity between sects of people, Kaviyarasu said that Seshadri was trying to create unrest in society. Hence, he sought action against the publisher for his remarks.
Based on the complaint, the Kunnam police registered a case under Sections 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153 A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), and 505 (1)(b) (with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquillity) of the Indian Penal Code.
Badri Seshadri is the founder of Kizhakku Pathippagam, a leading publisher in Tamil Nadu.
(With PTI inputs)
