Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said no arrests would be made pending the probe into the event on Kashmir held by Amnesty International where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised, according to Congress leader Digvijay Singh, days after the NGO was slapped with sedition charges.
"I spoke to CM Karnataka and he has assured me that no arrests would be made pending investigation. Only FIR has been filed," Singh tweeted on Wednesday, as ABVP intensified protests across the state demanding immediate arrest of those who allegedly raised anti-India and anti-Army slogans.
I spoke to CM Karnataka and he has assured me that no arrests would be made pending investigation. Only FIR has been filed.
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) August 17, 2016
Bengaluru police have slapped sedition charges against Amnesty International India, which has said none of its employees had shouted any anti-India slogans at the event held in Bengaluru on Saturday last.
Singh also said simply raising slogans is not a fit case to be charged with sedition and such a law was used by the British against freedom fighters.
"Simply raising slogans is not a fit case to be charged with sedition. It is a law which British used against our Leaders in Freedom Movement," Singh tweeted.
Simply raising slogans is not a fit case to be charged with Sedition. It is a law which British used against our Leaders in Freedom Movement
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) August 17, 2016
Siddaramaiah has said the law will take its own course to find out whether the offence committed by 'pro-freedom Kashmiris' amounted to sedition.
"I wouldn't say anything more than what I have already said - whether it is sedition or any offence committed by anybody, the law will take its own course. The police are investigating the case," he had said.
Amnesty International submitted yet another video and CCTV footage to the police for investigation.
Thousands of ABVP activists staged protests in different parts of the state, including Bengaluru, Hubballi, Mysuru, Belagavi and other places, seeking arrest of those who allegedly raised slogans against the Army and India.
The protest near Mysore Bank circle at the nucleus of the city and surrounding areas caused traffic snarl. Police had put in place tight security at several places.