Injustice of Siddique Kappan's Bail After Two Years Unfolds

The recent news of Siddique Kappan’s bail after two years has been met with both relief and dismay. Kappan, a journalist from Kerala, was arrested in October 2020 while travelling to Hathras to report on the alleged gang rape and murder of a Dalit woman. He was charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged links with Popular Front of India (PFI). Kappan’s family had long been fighting for his release, as they argued that he was wrongfully detained and had not committed any crime. Despite this, he remained in jail for two years before finally being granted bail by the Supreme Court on April 7th. The injustice of this case is particularly concerning given that Kappan never reported on the story he was allegedly travelling to Hathras to cover. This raises questions about why he was arrested in the first place and why it took so long for him to be released despite having no evidence against him. It also highlights how journalists are increasingly vulnerable to arrest and detention when reporting on sensitive issues or stories related to human rights violations. The decision by the Supreme Court comes too late for Kappan who has already spent two years behind bars without committing any crime or offence. This case serves as a stark reminder of how easily journalists can be targeted simply for doing their job and reporting on important stories which need to be told. It also raises questions about whether those responsible will ever be held accountable for their actions in this case or if justice will ever truly prevail in such cases where journalists are wrongfully detained or persecuted due to their work. While Kappan’s release is certainly cause for celebration, it does little to address the underlying issue at hand – that journalists continue to face threats and intimidation when trying to do their job, especially when covering stories related to human rights violations or other sensitive topics. It is therefore essential that steps are taken towards ensuring greater protection for journalists so that such injustices do not occur again in future cases involving press freedom and freedom of expression.