Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 5: At least 19 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) workers and leaders who were detained last week for trying to hold a protest demonstration against the new land laws in Jammu and Kashmir refused to sign surety bonds, asking them to refrain themselves from taking part in “unlawful anti-national activities”.
The PDP members, including some senior leaders, appeared before the Executive Magistrate in Srinagar where they were asked to sign the bonds.
The members refused to sign the undertaking, following which the Magistrate fixed November 24 as the next date to hear the case.
The surety bond stated: “That we are permanent residents of the J&K UT. That a case under Section 107/151 stands against us in the court of Tehsil office South Srinagar. That we will not indulge in any unlawful/anti-national activities. That in case if we will be found again indulging in any unlawful/ anti-national activities then we shall be liable to face any action as per law.”
Last week 19 PDP leaders and workers were detained by Police when they attempted to take out a protest against the new land laws outside their party headquarters in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk area. They were later released in the evening.
PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who had attempted to reach the police station where her party members were detained and stopped mid-way by police that day.
A case under sections 107 and 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, was registered against the leaders.
Mehbooba criticised the affidavit describing it as undemocratic. “In which democracy is the right to peacefully protest an ‘anti national’ activity? PDP members detained last week for attempting to peacefully protest against new land laws in J&K today refused to sign a dictatorial affidavit that terms dissent as anti-national,” she wrote on twitter.
“When will this deliberate attempt to conflate BJP with India stop? How does disagreeing with BJP’s communal & divisive actions tantamount to being an anti-national or sedition? Seems like India is the world’s largest democracy only on paper now,” she added.
Follow our WhatsApp channel