Law as weapon (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2: Polity
Prelims level: Epidemic diseases act
Mains level: Provisions required under Epidemic diseases act

Context:

• A dharna in Agra over the movement of buses to ferry migrant labour led to the arrest of the Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu and two of his party colleagues — all three subsequently got bail.
• Amongst the laws weaponised by the UP police to detain the Opposition leaders is a late-19th century statute, The Epidemic Diseases Act.

The epidemic diseases act:

• Drafted by the colonial state in 1897 “to take special measures and prescribe regulations” for “the better prevention of the dangerous epidemic diseases”, the law has been summoned in the past to deal with outbreaks of ......................................

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Need of extensive surveillance:

• Of course, combating COVID-19 does require extensive surveillance, including identification of the carriers of the virus and their contacts.
• But in most parts of the world, including India, a growing body of literature has underlined that such extraordinary measures are best undertaken by taking citizens into confidence, using persuasion and involving the community.
• At several places, however, the state authorities are giving the go-by to these imperatives and asserting state power in heavy-handed ways, by taking cover under Clause 4 of the Epidemics Act — actions taken under the law are provided immunity from “legal proceedings” for they are deemed to have been “undertaken in good faith”.
• In early April, when knowledge of the virus was still uncertain among large sections of the people, an FIR was slapped against the family of a Bengaluru technician, who had contracted COVID-19, for “hiding information”, and they were charge-sheeted under the Epidemics Act.
• Also last month, the Mumbai Police invoked the law to arrest a journalist, alleging that his social media posts led to unrest among migrant workers in suburban Bandra.

Criminalising criticism and dissent:

• A toxic mix of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Section 144 of the CrPC and the Epidemics Act may well be on its way to becoming the new sedition law, which has been invoked with disturbing frequency.............................

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“Fake” and “Sensational” news:

• The FIRs allege that these reports are “fake” and “sensational” news; the cases are being investigated. But governments must realise that the discourse on citizens’ rights and public health has moved on from the times when the colonial government charged Bal Gangadhar Tilak for sedition for criticising its handling of the 1897 bubonic plague.
• Else, the Supreme Court must intervene to allow people to voice their opinions freely during a crisis, and especially in a crisis, without the threat of their being criminalised.

Conclusion:

• Misuse of Epidemic Diseases Act by government must stop. Else, court must step in to protect citizens’ freedoms

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Prelims Questions:

Q1.  With reference to the Integrated Battle Groups (IBG), consider the following statements:
1. The IBGs are brigade sized agile self-sufficient combat formations which, can swiftly launch strikes against adversary.
2. They will be able to mobilise within 12-48 hours based on the location.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:

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Mains Questions:
Q1.  What do you mean by the epidemic d..............................................?