Indian fact-checker Mohammed Zubair, a co-founder of AltNews, finds himself back in court this week as he faces allegations of endangering India's integrity due to a post calling out hate speech. Following his earlier Supreme Court bail, authorities in Uttar Pradesh have launched a new case against him, claiming he is jeopardizing the country's unity. Zubair is contesting the accusations, asserting that they stem from his ongoing fight against hate crimes.
During the brief hearing at the Allahabad high court, judges recused themselves, delaying the proceedings to another court. Zubair is facing a serious non-bailable charge that could lead to lengthy imprisonment. He has remained steadfast that these accusations are politically motivated, particularly due to his efforts in combating hate speech prevalent in India.
His post, shared on X platform on October 3, included a video of Yati Narsinghanand, a priest noted for inflammatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad, resulting in public protests and arrests. Police allege that Zubair's critique of the priest's comments has led to unrest and, subsequently, new charges against him.
Zubair's colleague, Pratik Sinha, describes this as a "witch-hunt," underscoring that Zubair's work is impacting the political landscape, prompting retaliatory actions from authorities. Criticism against Zubair's prosecution has grown, with many viewing it as part of a broader strategy to silence dissenting voices in India's media landscape.
Rights organizations have denounced the invocation of Section 152 of India's legal code against him as reminiscent of colonial-era sedition laws, expressing concern over its implications for free expression in the country. Amnesty International criticized the government's tendencies to repress activists and journalists who challenge state narratives.
Zubair's past legal troubles included an arrest in 2022 over a tweet that drew attention to Islamophobic statements made by a government spokesperson. International bodies, including the UN, have voiced alarm over the treatment of journalists in India, denouncing such actions as a violation of free speech rights.
India currently ranks 159 out of 180 in press freedom according to the Reporters Without Borders, reflecting an increasingly hostile environment for media professionals.
