Government randomly charging artists with sedition: Swara Bhasker

Mumbai: Actor Swara Bhasker said that artists are facing difficulties in telling their stories as the government is indiscriminately using sedition law and provisions of the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against them.

During an interaction with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday, Swara Bhasker said that a state distributes UAPA and sedition charges like 'prasad' from a god who none want to pray to.

Swara, who is very vocal about social and political issues, further said that there are many artists who have risked their livelihoods and careers to keep the resistance alive to tell stories. She pointed out that comedians Munawar Faruqui, Aditi Mittal, and Agrima Joshua have been targeted by right-wing groups. Faruqui had spent a month in jail for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. There was also an incident in which a venue got vandalised for hosting some comedians, she said.

Swara alleged that the citizens of the country are facing an "unaccountable mob". The mob is used by the ruling dispensation while the police and the state provide it free reigns.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee said that the UAPA is being overtly misused. The act is not meant against common people, but for protection from external forces and maintenance of internal security, Mamata added.

Mamata Banerjee was on a three-day visit to Mumbai, and the interaction was with members of civil society.