By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, Aug 21, 2020: The head of the Jesuits in South Asia has urged his men to observe a day of fasting in solidarity with Prashant Bhushan, an activist lawyer who has been convicted for contempt of court.
“We invite you to join the various national and international groups for ‘a day of fasting’ on August 22, in solidarity with Prashant Bhushan,” says a message from Father George Pattery, president of Jesuit Conference of South Asia.
“Freedom of Expression and the Right to Protest are fundamental in any democratic set up. We decry the contempt charges against legitimate and reasonable protests by well-meaning citizens and groups,” says the August 20 message from Father Pattery, who completes his six-year term this year as the leader of the largest segment of Jesuits in the world.
According to Father Pattery, fasting “equips us physically and spiritually to manifest our resolve to stand for democracy and freedom.”
He also urged his more than 4,000 men to invite family and friends to join the fasting that is being organized in association with Indian American Muslim Council, Hindus for Human Rights, Global Indian Progressive Alliance, Students Against Hindutva Ideology, Young India, Inc and Voices against Fascism in India.
Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus, started in 1540 in Spain, is currently the largest Catholic religious congregation for men.
Father Pattery also attached a statement from the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) with his message to help his men understand the issue better.
The August 14 statement from the union expressed dismay and disappointment over the apex court finding Bhushan guilty of “criminal contempt of court” for a set of tweets from the lawyer.
The court found them undermining the dignity and authority of the institution of the Supreme Court of India and the Chief Justice of India and directly affronts the majesty of law.”
The PUCL says the court’s “unfortunate” finding will support other democratic institutions in India that criminalize dissenters. The SC “too is unwilling to acknowledge serious issues about the way the judicial system is functioning and is acting in a manner which would silence democratic voices using the draconian power of `contempt of court,” the statement says.
The union also urged the nation to seriously discuss the need to repeal contempt laws. It also points out that Englad, the country of the origin of the law, has repealed their laws in 2013.
“Until the law is repealed in India, it bears relevance to keep in mind the need for the greatest restraint in the use of this extraordinary power,” the statement cautions.