Kozhikode court denies bail to 2 Kerala students under UAPA charges

Kozhikode session court, on Wednesday, denied bail to two students who were arrested for alleged Maoist links on November 2 and charged under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The two accused, Thaha Fazal and Allan Shuhaib who are also ruling CPI(M)'s branch committee members were arrested from Kozhikode. The arrest and the booking of the two students under the UAPA have evoked mixed reactions in Kerala, with people clamouring for it be revoked. The police too were under fire as not just sections of the opposition but even many in the ruling coalition criticising their actions as "too draconian". 

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Who are the two accused?

19-year old Allan Shuhaib is a journalism student who is also an executive member of the CPM's Meenchanda Bypass committee. He is the nephew of well-known Malayali actor Sajitha Madathil. He is the former area committee member of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) which is a student organisation associated with the Communist Party of India. 24-year old Thaha Fazal is a law student at Kannur University is a branch committee member of Parammal in Kozhikode. 

The police have stood their ground and maintained that they have ample evidence against the two students to book them under UAPA. On Tuesday, the police released pictures of Allan in which he can be seen with members of an organisation that has been banned in India. Also, they claim that even as a minor, he had been a part of several banned organisations. The residences of both the accused have been raided and several ‘incriminatory’ materials, in the form of literature, pamphlets and videos have reportedly been seized by the police. In the FIR, the police have stated that both the accused admitted to having links with the Maoists. 

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Kerala Police vs ruling CPI(M)

Several leaders of the CPI(M) including a few ministers in the Kerala cabinet have been vociferous in criticising the arrest and slapping of UAPA against the two students. CPM member of parliament, M.P. Veerendra Kumar has urged the police to reconsider the registering of UAPA in the FIR. CPM Kozhikode south area committee passed a resolution declaring that the arrest of students for "possessing and distributing pamphlets and write-ups on Maoists and this action hinders the democratic rights of the students". Law Minister of Kerala, AK Balan too has called UAPA a double-edged sword and has said it should not be used to harass the innocent. 

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BJP alleges CPM of shielding Maoists

In a strange turn of events, the BJP and the Sangh Parivar in Kerala who seemed to be on Chief Minister Vijayan's side is attacking the ruling CPI(M) and CPI.  BJP leader K Surendran has accused the CPM of intentionally jeopardising the investigation in order to shield the two accused. Lambasting the Congress as well, Surendran said that they are trying to rescue anti-national elements in the country. 

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Cong, CPI demands Vijayan’s resignation

Kerala Chief Minister, who also holds the home portfolio has been finding himself with fewer allies, even within his party with opposition UDF leaders calling for his resignation. Charging Vijayan of leading the law and order collapse, the Congress has even accused the Chief Minister of ‘pushing the Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s agenda’ in Kerala.