ABVP activists stage protests in Bengaluru against Amnesty

 Video footage of an Amnesty event on Kashmir in Bengaluru to identify those who allegedly raised anti-India slogans were being examined by police today even as ABVP activists staged protests in Bengaluru, a day after the NGO was booked on sedition charge.

The India chapter of Amnesty International, on its part, rejected as "without substance" the allegations raised by the ABVP, the student outfit of the RSS, and claimed that none of its employees shouted any anti-India slogans at any point.

The ABVP activists, who clashed with police, protested against the rights organisation and demanded arrest of those who allegedly raised slogans against India and the Army at a panel discussion on Saturday. They also demanded action against Amnesty International.

The event was organised by Amnesty India as part of a campaign to seek justice for "victims of human rights violations" in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Police have filed an FIR against Amnesty International India. Police are examining the video and CCTV clippings to identify the pro-freedom Kashmiris who raised independence slogans at the event," Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters in Bengaluru.

Asked whether Amnesty India Executive Director Aakar Patel is likely to be arrested, Parameshwara said, "Not to my knowledge. Not at the moment."

ABVP activists had submitted a CD containing video recording of the event after filing a complaint with police, who yesterday registered an FIR against Amnesty International.

In a statement, Amnesty India said that allegations mentioned in the complaint by the ABVP representative against it were without "substance" and that only discussion at the event was about allegations of human rights violations and denial of justice in Jammu and Kashmir.

"No Amnesty International India employee shouted any slogans at any point," the human rights organisation said in a statement referring to allegations that "slogans were raised that Indian Kashmir should be part of Pakistan."

IPC sections-- 142 (being member of an unlawful assembly), 143 (whoever is a member of an unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc. and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony have been invoked against Amnesty.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said "Police are enquiring. An FIR has been registered."
Noting that an FIR had already been registered on sedition charge, he said after an enquiry, police would take action according to law.

Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said patriotic and nationalist people could not tolerate anti-India slogans.

"What happened in JNU is being repeated here", he said, adding, "this must be stopped."