East Champaran, Bihar: Fazlul Mubeen, a journalist and editor of the digital platform Milli Khabar, has been booked after he criticised Muslim political figures for attending Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Iftar party while remaining silent on crucial issues like Waqf protection.
Mubeen had shared images of attendees on social media with a scathing remark: “I am ashamed to tell you that these people are from Bihar’s Dhaka. For them, Nitish Kumar is above Imarat Sharia, Muslim Personal Law, Jamiat Ahle Hadis, and Jamiat Ulema. Waqf is our constitutional right—and it is also a matter of our Shariat. Take care of it.”
The post led JD(U) Kisan Cell leader Asghar Ali to file a police complaint, resulting in an FIR against Mubeen. He now faces charges under the newly introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: Section 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), Section 356(2) (defamation), and Section 302 (hurting religious sentiments).
Speaking to The Observer Post, Mubeen defended his post as an exercise of free speech. “I only asked why these leaders remained silent on vital Muslim concerns but were eager to attend an Iftar feast. This is my democratic right,” he stated.
He also clarified that the images he posted were already publicly available. “Many had shared them on their Facebook profiles. I didn’t hack or alter anything,” he added.
Mubeen further claimed that some individuals contacted him seeking a compromise. “One of them asked me to apologise and settle the matter, but I won’t apologise for speaking the truth.”
Calling the FIR a tactic to intimidate the press, Mubeen said, “This is pressure on journalists. They want to scare us into silence. But I won’t back down. I have all screenshots and proof.”
The incident has sparked discussions about press freedom and the growing intolerance towards journalistic critique, especially within the community itself.
