Priya Pillai’s case will be heard by the Delhi High Court on Feb 18, and the government is expected to submit an affidavit before then making its position clear.
Reacting to the media reports, Samit Aich, Executive Director, Greenpeace India said:
“We will wait for the government’s official statement before the court. However, if the government is so concerned about its international image, it should think twice before suppressing the free speech and fundamental democratic rights of its citizens, as it has done with Priya Pillai. It should also do a better job of safeguarding the constitutional rights and livelihoods of its disadvantaged tribal communities, who are all too often forced to give up their forests for coal mining, a destructive, dirty and corrupt industry.”
The government’s insistence on justifying its action on Pillai comes as noted jurist and former Attorney General for India and Senior Advocate, Soli Sorabjee voiced his opinion on the government’s move, saying “Such action gives rise to the impression that government wants to muzzle criticism which is unbecoming of a democratic republic like India.”
Notes to the editor:
