Editor,
Does the Meghalaya Police’s quest for crime solving infringe on the common man’s civil liberties? That’s the question I’m asking today as modern technology continues to make it easier for law enforcement agencies to illegally monitor us innocent citizens.
In a recent incident, cyber sleuths from the SP’s Office, Laitumkhrah PS and Nongthymmai Police Beat House were left red-faced and embarrassed after they were exposed by a hacker for stealing personal photos from the Twitter account of a man from Cambodia (possibly of Khmer descent) and using them to create fake Telegram accounts(@cardapoly and @dj_apple)in order to track ‘suspects’ as part of their CCTNS program.
Even though the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Information Technology Act, 2000 has under certain circumstances, permitted the government to conduct surveillance such as interception of calls and data, however, planting of bugs in innocent civilians’ phones disguised as mobile applications and games like Dailyhunt, NewsPop, Snapchat and Solitaire to spy on their activities is highly unethical and a criminal act punishable by law. Has the Meghalaya Police forgotten that stealing personal photos of people without their consent is expressly prohibited under the IT Act? Have they forgotten that violating these cyber laws could land them in jail?
It is evident that technology has become part and parcel of our lives and the world has transformed into a global community where our lives have become more connected than ever before. And while many of us agree that modern age AI gadgets and software should definitely be used in fighting crime in the state, however what concerns us the general public is the blatant use of modern technology to invade our privacy without a warrant; and it is also hard to ignore that the technology itself might have unintended and invasive side effects.
It is obvious that with the development of social media and sophisticated technology our lives have become less private; hence it becomes more important than ever to secure our privacy. Speaking of privacy, do citizens of Meghalaya know that the Meghalaya Police also use tower dumps to zero in on suspects, but a lot of innocent people’s data are swept up in the process? As a Meghalayan concerned about my own privacy, I now demand an answer. I want a clearer understanding of where that data goes, how long it’s stored and who has access to it. And if the law stands for the general public, why shouldn’t it apply to law enforcers themselves?
Yours etc,
A concerned citizen,
Name withheld on request
Via email
UCC a double- edged sword
Editor,
The editorial “UCC – Biting the bullet” (ST June 28 2023) made interesting reading. The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India proposes to replace the personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each significant religious community in the country with a standard set governing every citizen. The demand for a uniform civil code was first raised by some women activists in the early twentieth century to empower women and bring gender equity and parity. The demand for Uniform Civil Code was also made by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India along with some women activists. Still, due to the opposition from the Muslim members, it was included in the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Given India’s diversity there might be practical hurdles in implementing the Uniform Civil Code. There is a larger perception that UCC is aimed at encroachment on religious freedom. Religious communities will not easily accept changes in the way of their practices. Secondly, the imposition of UCC will also be seen as State’s interference in the personal matters of its citizens who are already granted the right to religious freedom by the Constitution. As such, UCC is going to be a susceptible and tough task.
There are many adivasis and janjaatis who have their own traditions and customs. Some of them have expressed concern that their pooja padhhati (form of prayers) will be affected. Some of these communities also follow their own norms for marriage and divorce, which they feel will be subsumed in the larger law. Last week, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council unanimously passed a resolution to oppose the implementation of UCC in areas within its jurisdiction. A coalition of 30 tribal bodies in Jharkhand on Sunday threatened to protest against the proposed law. India is home to an amazing 700 living tribes with a population of 104 million as per Census 2011 and its tribal population is the largest in the world. Despite encroaching urbanisation, habitat loss and dwindling livelihoods, many tribal communities continue to practice their traditions and to conserve the ancient wisdom handed down by their ancestors. The BJP is aware of the potential implications of UCC on its vote share in tribal-dominated areas and is wooing tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and in the Northeast. States such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have set up committees to examine UCC. Knowing the sensitivity of the issue, the Sangh Parivar has pushed for building a narrative, encouraging debate and discussion and creating consensus rather than just bringing legislation.
Last year, a private member’s bill to implement UCC was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by a BJP lawmaker. Several states have been asked to or have prepared their draft bills and suggestions solicited from people shows that the government believes in taking an amicable route that will benefit all sections of society. However, the utterances of the Prime Minister in Bhopal are an indication of an election plank for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls that election will be fought on the basis of mandir and UCC. If UCC is implemented the concept of Hindu Undivided Family will have to be given a go-by. Will the Hindus accept it?
Yours etc.,
V K Lyngdoh,
Via email