Extract :
Habeas Corpus petitions are indefinitely delayed or disposed of at a bare statement from the executive which has a vested interest. Professors, lawyers and activists can be kept in prison for long periods, including in the middle of a pandemic. Cases involving constitutional questions which strike at the heart of the democracy – such as the legality of electoral bonds – are kept in cold storage indefinitely. Criticism of the court, or of SC judges, invites contempt or removal from cases as petitioner (Harsh Mander). Blatant lies in court from the government of the day – whether on Aadhaar or migrants or Rafale or any issue – can happen without any consequences whatsoever. And a chief justice sits as judge in his own cause, be shielded from ordinary enquiry after serious allegations of sexual harassment. .. Citizens will have to come forward, regardless of all kinds of walls full of barb wires and demand that the Supreme Court sees that many who are being called free are not free. ... Before that happens, many of us who believe we are free will have to examine how durable are the freedoms we take for granted every day. If this can happen not only to crores in Jammu and Kashmir, to reputed professors, to someone as privileged as Soz, a former union minister across governments, to college students, to pregnant activists, it can happen to you and, in all likelihood, a cameraman will not come knocking at your door. Pastor Martin Niemoller warned us ages ago, and Anand Teltumde said it recently: “I earnestly hope that you will speak out before your turn comes.” -https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/columnists/dushyant/freedom-begins-with-speech/articleshow/77273482.cms-https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/columnists/dushyant/freedom-begins-with-speech/articleshow/77273482.cms