The State, Democracy and Anti-Terror Laws in IndiaLaws like the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) are enacted to address what the state describes as extraordinary situations and put in place exceptions to the ordinary legal and judicial procedures. By examining public debates surrounding extraordinary laws like POTA and the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) and also specific cases, trials and judgements under the Acts, the author - argues that extraordinary laws have ramifications for people’s lives, political institutions, the rule of law and democratic functioning; - shows how such laws assume ‘normalcy’ and acquire a place of permanence in state practices; and - examines the ways in which such extraordinary laws manifest dominant configurations of political power and ideology. While exploring the unfolding of POTA in specific contexts, the book shows how the law was enmeshed in the politics of Hindutva, electoral and coalition politics, centre-state relations, the politics of repression and reconciliation against nationality struggles, and issues of poverty and development. |
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accused Advani Afroz AFSPA Afzal Amendment anti-terror laws application April arrested under POTA bail banned Bill blast Central government Central Review Committee Centre charges chargesheet Chief Minister confession confessional statement Congress Constitution context custody December Delhi democratic evidence extraordinary laws February Ghatkopar Gilani Godhra Gujarat High Court Hindu Hindustan Human Rights Ibid Indian Express interception investigation jail Jammu and Kashmir Jharkhand judgement judicial L.K. Advani legislation LTTE Maharashtra March Mayawati MCOCA MDMK militants Moreover Mumbai Muslims Nadu government November October offence Ordinance ordinary law organised crime Party People's Union persons police officer political POTA POTO powers Prevention of Terrorism preventive detention procedures prosecution punishment Raja Bhaiyya Rajya Sabha release repeal of POTA Sabha Section Shaukat SIMI Singh Special Court Special POTA Court specific Supreme Court TADA Tamil Nadu terrorist activities terrorist organisation trial UAPA Uttar Pradesh Vaiko village withdrawal