Monday
18th Nov 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Opposition leader former President Yameen. Photo: TMJ
Opposition Progressive Congress Coalition on Thursday revealed that the coalition will file a case in court to nullify the Presidential decree banning and criminalizing the India Out movement.
The movement was banned and criminalized in a decree, which stated that the India Out movement was a movement based on hate speech and hate directed against India, and as such, deemed a direct threat to national security by the third session of the National Security Council.
Speaking in a press conference, People’s National Congress (PNC) President Abdul Raheem said the decree violated the Constitution. He added that while the Government is claiming national security risks, the only risks to national security are arising from the actions committed by the Government assisted by India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“We do not believe that a decree can be issued under these circumstances,” he said.
This is the first time a President had issued a decree banning and criminalizing a movement championed by a political party. The move came a day after Parliament Speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed spoke in Parliament against the movement.
After the decree was issued, officers of Maldives Police Service (MPS) had entered the residence of former President Abdullah Yameen and the opposition headquarters. They had removed the banners hung on the building calling for the removal of Indian military presence in the country.