Posting posters is not a mutiny

If the appearance of posters in parts of Delhi criticising GoI, specifically the PM, for its vaccination policy seems strange, what is downright ominous is the arrests made in this connection. It is no secret that the Covid vaccination situation has left an overwhelming number of people angry. Singling out GoI for things coming to such a pass may or may not be valid, but it is understandable. And airing that opinion is not a crime. Registering FIRs — 21, along with 17 arrests across Delhi till Saturday — not only goes against freedom of speech, but also reflects poorly on any administrative machinery.

Charges include action ‘likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life’ and defacement of public property. This is catching flies by letting a SWAT team loose. Most — not all — of the arrested have been released on bail. What is also worrying is the reported line of questioning about whether the suspects were ‘hired’ or they acted on their own. Will these critics be made to segue into ‘anti-nationals’ or worse? This is not a stray case. Andhra Police arrested two TDP activists in June 2020 for questioning policies of the Jagan Reddy government on social media. On Saturday, a YSR Congress MP was charged with sedition for demanding that bail granted to the CM in a case be cancelled.

Prior to the sepai uprising of 1857, piles of chapatis were discovered outside public offices across northern India. It was enough for the government of the day to get rattled. Putting up posters against today’s government policy is not the sign of impending ‘mutiny’. They air specific opinions. It doesn’t behove a government to appear rattled by them. So rattled that it can’t differentiate popular anger from signs of sedition on walls.