New Delhi: Eleven international human rights organisations have united to demand the immediate withdrawal of the latest First Information Report (FIR) filed against Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of the fact-checking platform Alt News. The FIR, lodged by Ghaziabad police on November 27, 2024, accuses Zubair of violating provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 152, as per a report by The Wire.
The FIR stems from a social media post by Zubair in which he shared a video of controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand making provocative remarks. Narsinghanand, known for incendiary speeches against Muslims, has been the subject of public outrage and protests in the past.
The complaint against Zubair was filed by Udita Tyagi, general secretary of the Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati Foundation. Tyagi alleged that Zubair’s post, which highlighted an old video of Narsinghanand, was intended to incite violence. The charges include promoting enmity, defamation, and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings under various sections of the BNS.
The letter of solidarity, signed by groups including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders, and PEN International, condemns what they describe as “continuous targeting” of Zubair by Indian authorities for his fact-checking work. The signatories argue that such actions undermine press freedom and free expression in India.
“Zubair has faced multiple cases over his social media posts and journalistic work,” the letter states, highlighting how past arrests have created a pattern of bail being granted in one case, only for a fresh FIR to be filed.
In 2022, Zubair was arrested for tweets that allegedly outraged religious sentiments and promoted enmity. The latest FIR is seen as part of a larger trend to stifle dissent and journalism critical of the government.
Zubair has challenged the FIR in the Allahabad High Court, seeking protection against coercive action. However, tensions remain high, with rights groups warning that the case sets a dangerous precedent for free speech in India.
The organisations also raised concerns about the selective application of the law. They noted that while Zubair faces legal action for sharing Narsinghanand’s remarks, the controversial priest has repeatedly escaped accountability for his incendiary speeches, including one calling for the burning of Prophet Muhammad’s effigies.
The targeting of Zubair comes amid growing global criticism of India’s press freedom. Rights organisations have urged the Union government to safeguard journalists and ensure that the law is not misused to harass voices critical of the establishment.
This case, they argue, reflects the broader challenges faced by India’s media and civil society under increasing scrutiny for its handling of dissent.
