News Desk
The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on Thursday noted with concern reports that the Indian government is arresting Muslim activists during the Covid-19 crisis who protested against the country’s contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
“At this time, India should be releasing prisoners of conscience, not targeting those practising their democratic right to protest,” the USCIRF said in a tweet. It specifically mentioned the arrest of Safoora Zargar, a pregnant activist who was arrested in connection with the communal violence that flared up in Delhi in February over the CAA.
According to reports, 27-year-old Zargar was arrested on April 10 and charged under the country’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 2019 (UAPA).
