TL;DR: Alt-News co-founder Mohammed Zubair has once again been booked by the police đ, this time for allegedly inciting violence đĨ, but many believe it's an attempt to silence critical voices đī¸âđ¨ī¸. The FIR was filed by an aide of controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand đ. Zubair claims the charges are baseless and no verification was done đ. This looks more like an attack on free speech than a genuine case âī¸.
In yet another blow to media freedom đĸ, Alt-News co-founder Mohammed Zubair has been booked by the Ghaziabad Police đ following a complaint by Udita Tyagi, an aide of Yati Narsinghanand, a controversial priest đ known for his inflammatory speeches đĨ. The FIR accuses Zubair of promoting enmity between religious groups đ, fabricating evidence đ§, and inciting violence đą.
But here's the catch! Zubair claims that the charges are false đ¯ and that the police didn't even bother verifying the information before filing the FIR đ¤ˇââī¸. "There were other journalists who reported on this issue đš, but the FIR against me seems intentional," Zubair said in a statement to The Indian Express.
What's The FIR About? đ¤
The complaint was filed by Udita Tyagi, who is the general secretary of the Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati Trust đ. According to her, Zubair posted edited video clips of Narsinghanand on social media đĨ to provoke Muslims against the priest đŖī¸. She also claimed that Zubairâs posts on October 4 and 5 led to an attempted attack on the Dasna Devi temple đą, and that police intervention was the only thing that prevented a disaster đ. Tyagi even alleged that she received death threats đ after Zubair mentioned her and BJP MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar in his posts.
However, Zubair denies all allegations â and says that the police action against him is nothing more than an attempt to intimidate journalists who expose the truth đ.
Media Under Fire đĨ
This is not the first time Zubair or Alt-News has been in the governmentâs crosshairs đ¯. Alt-News, known for exposing fake news đĩī¸ââī¸, has consistently highlighted misinformation spread by right-wing groups and their supporters đŦ. Zubair himself has faced multiple legal battles đ¨ââī¸ in the past, most of which revolve around his fact-checking work đ°.
Many see this case as another attempt to curb dissent and silence those who dare to challenge the establishment đĸ. Alt-News has played a crucial role in debunking fake news đ° and fact-checking claims, often countering narratives that favor the ruling party đ. The frequent targeting of Zubair seems to be part of a broader pattern of harassment against independent media đ.
Support and Protests đ
On Monday, over 100 people gathered outside the Ghaziabad Police Commissionerâs office đĨ, demanding action against Zubair and clarity on Narsinghanandâs whereabouts đļââī¸. The priest had been detained following an alleged hate speech đŖī¸ at an event in Ghaziabad, but his supporters are calling for Zubairâs arrest instead đĄ.
Meanwhile, many journalists and civil society groups have spoken out in support of Zubair â, calling this an attack on media freedom đ°. They argue that targeting journalists for doing their job is a dangerous trend that threatens democracy itself đī¸.
Is It Really About Law and Order? âī¸
While the police are "investigating" the case đ§, the big question remainsâwhy is Zubair being targeted when his only "crime" seems to be exposing the truth? đ It's hard to ignore the pattern here, where journalists who question or fact-check the government and its allies are slapped with legal charges âī¸.
This situation reflects a growing intolerance toward any form of criticism or accountability đŖī¸. As more independent media outlets are attacked đ¯, the space for free speech and critical journalism continues to shrink đ.
MediaFx Opinion đŖī¸
At MediaFx, we believe that Alt-News has been repeatedly targeted by the Modi government for exposing fake news đĸ. This isn't just about one journalistâit's an attack on media freedom đ°. And itâs not just journalists who should be worried; every person who values our Constitution and free speech should be protesting â.
This is a critical moment for our democracy đī¸, and if we don't speak up now, tomorrow it might be too late âŗ. Let's not allow the voices of truth to be silenced đ.