Scholar Manish Kumar of Allahabad University is the Uttar Pradesh state president of the All India Students Association
NEW DELHI – In the latest case of the crackdown on dissent by the BJP government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Dalit PhD scholar and student leader from Allahabad University in Uttar Pradesh, has been booked by the Azamgarh police over a Facebook post.
In the post, scholar Manish Kumar questioned national security issues, the controversial Rafale fighter jet deal, and the Modi government’s silence on alleged corruption and losses during the recent Indo-Pak conflict after the Pahalgam tragedy.
The FIR against Kumar is part of a broader pattern of coercive actions against academics, journalists, and private news channels perceived as critical of the government’s policies. For instance, Prof. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a respected political science academic, was recently arrested for expressing support for India’s armed forces while criticising those advocating for war and highlighting the persecution of the minority Muslim population. This crackdown has raised questions about the limits of dissent in India and the impact on the country’s democratic institutions.
The FIR against Kumar was registered on May 14 at Katharipur police station under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 67 of the IT Act. These laws relate to statements that may incite public disorder and are deemed offensive or misleading online content.
In his post, Kumar wrote, “Why has the Modi government not yet denied the reports that claim India lost multiple Rafale jets during the conflict? Why has there been no transparency and clarification?”
He also raised questions about the financial side of the Rafale deal, linking it to corporate interests, which has been controversial in past debates.
Student groups and civil society activists in Uttar Pradesh have condemned the FIR, arguing that it undermines free speech and targets marginalised voices.
Manish Kumar is the Uttar Pradesh state president of the All India Students Association (AISA), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist). AISA condemned the FIR, saying, “The FIR against Comrade Manish is not an exception. It is part of a countrywide assault on dissent launched after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. In Jammu & Kashmir, over 3,000 arrests have taken place. In Assam, 42 people were jailed for ‘pro-Pakistan’ posts. In Uttar Pradesh alone, 30 people have been arrested and 40 FIRs lodged. Across India, students, artists, and citizens are being targeted. This is not democracy. This is rule by fear.”
Kumar has not been arrested yet, but legal action is ongoing. Rights groups plan to challenge the FIR in court, arguing that it violates constitutional rights to free speech.
The police have not clearly explained the reasons for the charges. Civil rights advocates warn that such cases threaten open discussion, especially in universities and among young activists.
The Modi government’s crackdown on dissent has sparked widespread criticism and concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and freedom of expression. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the government’s actions, citing a blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law. The United Nations and its special rapporteurs have also criticised India’s deteriorating human rights situation, particularly the crackdown on government critics.
