Weaponising extraordinary laws to silence dissent: Congress on rights activist held under NSA in Assam
The Congress party has criticized the Assam government for detaining indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley under the National Security Act. The party alleges the government is misusing preventive detention laws to silence dissent regarding land rights protests near Kaziranga National Park.
Why it matters
It highlights ongoing tensions between state authorities and activists regarding land acquisition and the use of stringent security laws against political opposition.
The Congress on Sunday (August 2, 2026) slammed the Assam government over indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley being detained under the National Security Act , alleging that the use of the NSA against him was part of a growing pattern of BJP governments "weaponising" extraordinary laws to silence dissent.
The Opposition party also said this is a "blatant misuse" of preventive detention laws and "overreach" by the State.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that on July 30, the Assam Government invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against land rights activist Doley, just a day after the district court granted him bail.
"This is a blatant misuse of preventive detention laws and overreach by the state," Ramesh said on X.
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