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A coalition of opposition parties, civil rights activists, retired bureaucrats, and journalists on Friday sought the immediate withdrawal of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case against YouTuber Ravan, alleging that the government was misusing anti-terror legislation to suppress dissent.

The demand was made at a roundtable organised by the CPI here under the chairmanship of its State secretary G. Eswaraiah. Participants gave the government time until July 17 to withdraw the UAPA case, warning that they would launch a State-wide agitation if no action was taken.

Leaders from the CPI, CPI(M), YSRCP, Congress, AAP, CPI(ML) groups, journalist bodies and civil society organisations adopted a resolution seeking the withdrawal of UAPA and sedition charges against the YouTuber. They alleged that the government was targeting critics and repeatedly arresting the YouTuber despite his securing bail in several cases.

YSRCP to extend legal aid

Retired IPS officers A.B. Venkateswara Rao and P.V. Sunil Kumar questioned the invoking of the UAPA, arguing that any objectionable content could have been dealt with under ordinary criminal laws. They alleged that the FIR did not justify invoking anti-terror provisions and warned of its implications for free speech.

CPI national leader K. Narayana, CPI(M) leader P. Madhu and YSRCP leader Ambati Rambabu termed the case politically motivated. Mr. Rambabu announced legal and political support for Mr. Ravan.