Renowned Indian author Arundhati Roy is facing prosecution under an anti-terror law for a speech she gave in 2010 about Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK). The criminal complaint, which accuses her of sedition for advocating the secession of IoK from India, had been pending in the Indian justice system for over a decade.
Roy’s activism and criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government have made her a divisive figure in India. The sensitive topic of IoK has been at the center of conflict between India and Pakistan, with tens of thousands of lives lost since the insurgency began in 1989.
Last year, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena approved Roy’s prosecution under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This legislation has been criticized for its vague wording and has been used to target Kashmiri residents and activists. Roy, known for her award-winning novel “The God of Small Things,” has been a vocal critic of Modi’s government and advocate for marginalized communities in India.
Despite facing legal challenges, Roy continues to use her platform to shed light on social injustices and political issues in the country.