Term ‘anti-national’ not defined in statutes; 1st inserted during emergency: Centre

Dec. 21: The word ‘anti-national’ has not been defined in statutes, but was first inserted in the Constitution during Emergency in 1976 and subsequently removed a year later. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to the question by AIMIM member Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday. The word “anti-national” was not mentioned in statutes, however, there are criminal legislations & many judicial pronouncements to sternly deal with unlawful and subversive activities which are detrimental to the unity and integrity of the country, added the minister.

Owaisi had asked whether the government has defined the meaning of “anti-national” under any legislation or rules or any other legal enactment that is enforced in the country and whether the Supreme Court has prescribed any guidelines to deal with crimes relating to “anti-national” activity.

The minister of state for home said it is relevant to mention that the Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976 inserted in the Constitution Article 31D (during Emergency) which defined “anti-national activity” and this Article 31D was subsequently, omitted by the Constitution (43rd Amendment) Act, 1977.