In a startling turn of events for a well-respected journalist, Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of the fact-checking website AltNews, has found himself in the crosshairs of the Indian legal system once again. After being granted bail by the Supreme Court two years ago, Zubair returned to court on Tuesday as officers in Uttar Pradesh seek to charge him with “endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.”
These serious allegations, categorized as non-bailable offenses, could impose a minimum sentence of seven years, or more significantly, even life imprisonment if a conviction is secured. Zubair has firmly denied the accusations, expressing that his challenges stem from his commitment to exposing hate speech. “I feel I’m being targeted because of the work I do,” he asserted in a statement to the BBC.
The latest scrutiny stems from a post Zubair shared on X (formerly Twitter) on October 3, which showcased a video featuring controversial Hindu priest Yati Narsinghanand making inflammatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. Narsinghanand, who has previously faced legal action for Islamophobic comments, sparked protests following Zubair's exposure, prompting police to act against him.
Shortly after the post, many of Narsinghanand's supporters demanded action against Zubair, and as a result, local police filed a case based on complaints initiated by a politician affiliated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Originally facing lesser charges related to communal strife, Zubair's legal troubles intensified when officers invoked Section 152 of the amended criminal code, further complicating his situation.
Zubair maintains that he is one of many who shared Narsinghanand's comments, disputing the rationale behind the escalation of charges against him. His defense centers on the notion that he is being penalized for his journalistic endeavors. “This is an attempt to gag people trying to hold the government to account,” he stated.
His colleague Pratik Sinha suggests that the government's consistent pressure on Zubair demonstrates an attempt to silence critical voices within the media landscape. Criticism from rights organizations has illuminated concerns over the rights of journalists in India, particularly highlighting the oppressive nature of the newly invoked legal provisions.
Amnesty International has condemned the move as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and stifle free expression among activists, journalists, and human rights defenders. Additionally, groups such as the Press Club of India have publicly repudiated these developments, urging the withdrawal of charges against Zubair.
The events surrounding Zubair stand as a stark reminder of the deteriorating state of press freedom in India, where reporters face increasing threats and are often subjected to punitive action when they challenge the government's narrative. Currently ranking 159 out of 180 countries on the Global Press Freedom index, India's media landscape shows signs of distress as journalists confront harassment, criminal charges, and in some instances, violence for their work.
