Thoothukidi | The Thoothukudi court on Tuesday granted bail to Sofia Lois, a student who was arrested on Monday for allegedly raising slogans against the BJP led Central government at the Thoothukudi airport.
Sofia Lois, a 28-year-old student studying in Canada was arrested for shouting “fascist BJP government down, down” in front of Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan. Lois was taken into custody after the state BJP president filed a complaint and was charged under IPC Sections 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 290 (public nuisance) and Section 75 of the Tamil Nadu City Police Act.
Commenting on the arrest, Tamil Nadu BJP President Tamilisai who lodged the complaint said, “She did not look like a normal person. I am not scared or worried because of her. The other passengers inside the flight should not be affected by her, that is why I responded. In a public place people can shout, but nobody has the right to shout inside an aircraft.”
Attacking the government for its action, DMK president MK Stalin alleged, “The Tamil Nadu government’s anti-democratic actions, against the right to free speech, are highly condemnable. She must be released immediately. How many people will be imprisoned if you arrest everyone who says that? I will also say it. ‘BJP’s fascist government down, down’.”
While granting bail, the three-judge bench asked Lois’s father to assure the court that Sofia doesn’t cause such problems again.
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