Lucknow, July 10: Bhadohi Police on Tuesday arrested a 20-year-old shopkeeper for allegedly waving a Palestinian flag during a procession held after the sighting of the Muharram moon in the Aurai police station area.
The incident came to light when a video of the flag being waved surfaced on social media. Taking swift action, the police registered a case against two residents, identified as Sahil alias Badshah and Mohammad Gorakh, under Section 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration.
“We have arrested Sahil alias Badshah, who runs a salon, in the case. The video of the procession is being examined further,” said SHO Sachidanand Pandey.
According to the police, on Sunday night, a group of youths took out a procession in Madho Singh Bazaar, during which some participants allegedly carried Palestinian flags and raised slogans. A video of the purported procession went viral on Monday, prompting the police to take action. During a preliminary inquiry, it was found that no permission had been sought for the procession.
Upon scrutinizing the video, the police identified Badshah and Mohammad Gorakh carrying Palestinian flags while riding a motorcycle in the procession. The police stated that a case was filed as the incident could potentially incite feelings of hatred and animosity among the public.
The arrest sparked outrage on social media, with many questioning the police’s actions. Dr. Zafar-ul Islam Khan, a prominent Islamic scholar, expressed his dismay in a tweet: “Unbelievable! Shameful! Is Palestine an enemy country? UP police must be taken to task for such blatant human rights abuse.” In his tweet, he tagged the Supreme Court of India, Allahabad High Court, National Human Rights Commission, and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, calling for accountability and action against what he described as a human rights violation.
Dr. Zafar-ul Islam Khan’s tweet has brought significant attention to the incident, highlighting concerns over the use of national integration laws in this context. Critics argue that waving a Palestinian flag during a religious procession should not be construed as an act prejudicial to national integration and that such actions by the police could infringe on individuals’ rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The incident underscores the ongoing debate over the balance between maintaining public order and upholding individual rights in India. As the investigation continues, the reactions from various sectors of society indicate a deepening conversation about human rights, national identity, and the limits of law enforcement authority.
