Booker prize-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy is facing legal action over comments she made about Kashmir at an event in 2010. Under anti-terrorism legislation, VK Saxena, the top official in the Delhi administration, decided to permit prosecution. The case also includes former university professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain.

The action against Roy and Hussain is based on allegations of making provocative speeches, as reported by the Press Trust of India, citing officials from Saxena’s office. Notably, Saxena is a politician from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling BJP.

Arundhati Roy, known for her acclaimed literary work, has become a polarizing figure due to her activism and vocal criticism of Modi’s government, particularly concerning laws targeting minorities. The decision to proceed with the case comes more than a decade after a criminal complaint against Roy and several others was originally filed.

The complaint stems from Roy’s statement that the disputed territory of Kashmir was not an “integral” part of India and accused her and others of advocating the secession of Kashmir from India. These remarks led to protests outside Roy’s home in Delhi in 2010, with demands for her to retract her statement or leave the country.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly criticized the decision to prosecute Roy, labelling it “condemnable” and highlighting the timing, raising concerns over the use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Critics argue that the UAPA, an anti-terrorism law, has been misused by the Modi government to suppress free speech and target government critics.

Arundhati Roy’s situation exemplifies the larger context of government critics and activists being targeted in recent years. Roy stands out as a high-profile critic of Modi’s government, which has faced allegations of suppressing dissent and targeting individuals across various sectors, including activists, journalists, and members of civil society.