Opposition condemns journalist Mohammed Zubair’s arrest
According to Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha, Zubair was allegedly arrested in a 2020 case for which he already had “protection” from the high court
Senior opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, condemned the arrest of journalist and Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair on Monday evening on the charges of hurting religious sentiments under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Taking to Twitter, the former Congress president said, “Every person exposing BJP’s hate, bigotry and lies is a threat to them. Arresting one voice of truth will only give rise to a thousand more.” Gandhi added, “Truth ALWAYS triumphs over tyranny. #DaroMat.”
According to media reports, Zubair has been charged based on “highly provocative” tweets allegedly posted by him, said a police official. He has been booked under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot—if rioting be committed—if not committed) and 295A (outraging religious feelings of any class) of the IPC. The Delhi Police special cell has requested a four-day remand of the journalist.
Also read:Journalist Mohammed Zubair who flagged Prophet remark arrested by Delhi police
Taking to Twitter, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, “@DelhiPolice does nothing about anti-Muslim genocidal slogans, but acts swiftly against “crime” of reporting hate speech & countering misinformation.”
Speaking along similar lines, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien tweeted, “Strongly condemn the arrest of one of the world’s finest journalists @zoo_bear who exposes the BJP’s #FakeNews factory every single day. PM @narendramodi and @AmitShah for all the power you wield, you are essentially COWARDS.”
A Rashtriya Janata Dal MP also condemned the arrest and said, “Making hate speech is no crime but reporting/exposing such speeches are criminal activities and that’s why @zoo_bear has been arrested. And irony dies hundred deaths.. The great LEADER invokes #Emergency in the land of #ThirdReich & allows dissent in any form to be killed at home.”
According to Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha, Zubair was allegedly arrested in a 2020 case for which he already had “protection” from the high court. The Delhi Police still arrested Zubair “after having sufficient evidence on record”, said DCP (Special Cell) KPS Malhotra.