The Assam police journeyed all the way to Gujarat to arrest a person (MLA MLA Jignesh Mevani), who actually did not commit any offence under any section of the criminal procedure code. He was merely exercising his right to free speech. Mevani was arrested for a tweet that didn’t provoke violence. This case brings the judicial system into focus. Magistrates often lack the gumption to call this bluff or adjourn proceedings for fear of reprisals later by the state. A misfiring, dysfunctional police unable to enforce the rule of law and higher judiciary all but helpless in the face of maximalist political onslaught does not portend well for the country. There seems to be no respite against the state overreach that politicians are hellbent on effacing.
