TL;DR:Ā Global human rights organisations, including #RSF, #AmnestyInternational, and #HumanRightsWatch, have condemned the criminal caseĀ against Alt News founder Mohammed Zubair. Accused under sedition-like laws for sharing a controversial video, Zubair is being targeted for his fact-checking journalismĀ and social media activism. This is yet another chapter in the ongoing battle for free speechĀ in India.
Why Is Zubair in Trouble Again? š”
A fresh #FIRĀ was filed against Zubair by Ghaziabad policeĀ in Uttar PradeshĀ on October 8 for sharing a video of priest Yati Narsinghanand. In the clip, Narsinghanand allegedly called for the end of Islam, during an event in Lohiya NagarĀ on September 29.
The charges against Zubair include provisions under:
Section 66 of the IT Act
Section 152 of the Bharat Nayaya Sanhita (BNS), which is being criticized as a revamped and more expansive sedition law.
Whatās at Stake? š
Life Imprisonment Threat: Section 152 of the BNS could lead to imprisonment for lifeĀ or up to 7 yearsĀ in prison.
Freedom of Expression Under Fire: Zubairās case reflects how laws are being weaponizedĀ against journalists, activists, and social media users critical of the government.
Between 2010 and 2021, Article 14 reports that 13,000 peopleĀ were charged under sedition-like laws, including journalists, protesters, and social media users. The new BNS lawĀ seems to have fewer safeguards, amplifying fears of misuse.
Global Condemnation š
International organisations have rallied in Zubairās support, saying:
āZubair has long been targeted by Indian authorities for his fact-checking, journalism, and use of social media.ā
Among those condemning the move are:
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Index on Censorship
Zubair: A Symbol of Resistance āļø
Past Arrests:In June 2022, Zubair was arrested by Delhi and UP policeĀ for tweets related to:
A satirical post from 2018.
Comments by a BJP spokespersonĀ on national TV.
Over six FIRs were lodged against him, dragging him through a 24-day cycle of arrests, bail, and re-arrests, before the Supreme Court granted him bail.
Recognition for Journalism:Zubair was awarded the 2023 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Journalism AwardĀ for his dedication to media freedom.
DIGIPUB Joins the Fight š¢
The DIGIPUB News FoundationĀ has also slammed the āsedition-likeā charges against Zubair, calling them a direct assault on press freedom.
Why This Matters š”ļø
In a country grappling with misinformation and censorship, Zubairās case shines a spotlight on the shrinking space for dissentĀ and independent journalism:
Chilling Effect: These actions send a warning to journalists and fact-checkers who challenge the stateās narrative.
International Scrutiny: Cases like Zubairās highlight how Indiaās democracy is being scrutinized globally.
Whatās Next? š¤
The battle is far from over. Zubairās case underscores the urgent need to:
Defend freedom of expression.
Push back against misuse of sedition-like laws.
Build global and domestic solidarity for independent journalists.
Your Take? š£ļø
What do you think about Zubairās case? Is the government cracking down on dissent or protecting law and order? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
