Facing sedition charge, Ramya refuses to apologise for 'Pakistan is not hell' comment

A Karnataka based advocate lodged 'sedition case' accusing her of insulting India, instigating Indians by appreciating Pakistan

The Kannada actor and Congress member Ramya, who is accused of sedition over her remarks of praising the people of Pakistan after a recent visit, said on Tuesday that there is “no question of apologising.”

She said, "BJP will not do anything to repeal the law, because they are using it to their advantage", Congress leader Ramya on Tuesday refused to apologise for her statement that "Pakistan is a good country, not hell."

The 33-year-old Divya Spandana visited Islamabad to attend Saarc Young Parliamentarians Conference, responded to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s statement, “Going to Pakistan is like going to hell,” with “Pakistan is not hell, people there are just like us. They treated us very well.”

 

She made the remarks during a rally in her former constituency Mandya, saying how the people of Pakistan went out of their way on making her stay and comfortable after they got to know that she is from India. 

Her comments outraged K Vittal Gowda, an advocate from Karnataka, who lodged a “sedition case” in Kodagu in southern Karnataka, around 250 km from state capital Bengaluru.

It also sparked protests across the state BJP cadres and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) who wants her to move to Pakistan, if she refuses to apologise. 

In a series of tweets, she said:

I don’t ve ego at all& in any given incident, I wd've apologised, bt if I do in this case, the larger cause we're fighting fr would go:Ramya

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 23, 2016

Politicians want to polarise and spread hatred. Just because borders separate us we shouldn't hate others: Ramya

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 23, 2016

#EXCLUSIVE It's important that sedition law gets repealed. Didn't do anything wrong. Pakistanis are good people,just like us: @divyaspandana

— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 23, 2016

Here's how twitteratis and local media channel reacted to it:
China has warned that such a move would have 'a negative influence' on stability along the border

1. Pakistan is definitely hell.
2. Ramya is free to say it isn't.
3. Moronic that this is even an issue.

— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) August 23, 2016

I request Cong to expel Ramya from the party, such statements shouldnt be made: KV Gowda (complainant against Ramya) pic.twitter.com/k1RAVghjsn

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 23, 2016

"The BJP is right now would not do anything to repeal the law, because they are using it to their advantage. I don't have any ego at all, and in any given situation I would have apologised, but in this particular incident "me apologising", the larger cause that we are fighting for would go. I think that I don't want to lose that opportunity," Ramya said.

When asked about the sedition charge, she said, "I think it's really sad, but this is the state of affairs in this country today. Sedition is being slapped against anyone and anybody who is entitled to an opinion, which shouldn't be the case actually. I am feeling really sorry for the people for misusing this law as well."

"As an individual, I should be allowed to express my thoughts, my feelings or my opinions and, I think, the BJP government is trying to curb that and that should not be the case," she added.

"If you look at other political parties that are there, if we have to file sedition cases, like "misuse of the sedition law", and file cases against the BJP, we could also do that, because the kind of bizarre statements their members have made, some of the things is seditious, but we are of kind to take them on in discussion and conversation and put forth our views, but we never stoop to that kind of politics," said the Congress leader refusing to buckle down under pressure or criticism.

"Not as a former Member of Parliament, but as a common man, everyone is entitled to their views. This is an opportunity for the people to speak of their mind, and not allowing people to speak of their mind will suppress the freedom of speech and, I think, if I apologise then I will be bowing down to pressure," she said.

At Saarc summit, Ramya emphasised on the need for India and Pakistan to dissolve their differences and find a way to work together in harmony.

The court will hear the case on 27 August of complaints filed under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 124-A (sedition).