Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of the fact-checking platform AltNews, is back in court facing serious charges after he exposed hate speech from a controversial figure. His situation reflects mounting concerns over journalists' safety and freedom of expression in India.
Indian Fact-Checker Mohammed Zubair Faces Legal Battle for Highlighting Hate Speech
Indian Fact-Checker Mohammed Zubair Faces Legal Battle for Highlighting Hate Speech
The return of prominent journalist Mohammed Zubair to court raises alarms about the state of free speech and media rights in India.
In a notable legal confrontation, prominent Indian fact-checker and journalist Mohammed Zubair appears before the Allahabad High Court, facing a renewed case nearly two years after his release from prison. The Uttar Pradesh police seek his arrest, accusing him of "endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India," with potential penalties including seven years' imprisonment or worse.
Zubair, renowned as a co-founder of the fact-checking website AltNews, has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting the charges are retribution for his investigative work. "I feel I’m being targeted because of the work I do," he expressed to BBC reporters. Zubair garnered attention recently for exposing hate speech directed at the Prophet Muhammad by Yati Narsinghanand, a controversial Hindu priest from Ghaziabad, triggering protests among Muslims and police actions against Zubair.
Despite Zubair's claims that his remarks were part of broader media coverage, Uttar Pradesh police, prompted by complaints from Narsinghanand's supporters—including members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—have escalated charges against him. Initially, he faced lesser charges related to promoting discord among religions, but recent developments introduced more severe allegations under the new legal code, positioning him for a possible arrest.
His defense argues that the investigation is politically motivated, claiming targeted actions against Zubair reveal an ongoing effort to suppress critical voices within the media. Colleagues and human rights advocates decried the government's timing and severity regarding the allegations against Zubair, with many viewing the case as emblematic of a broader crackdown on journalistic neutrality and activism.
Critics highlight that this crackdown on free expression follows a troubling trend in India. Organizations like Amnesty International and associations representing journalists have called the move an abuse of power designed to intimidate those who challenge the status quo, with the potential to silence broader dissent in the media landscape.
Zubair's previous legal entanglements, including a 2022 arrest widely criticized by the international community, reinforce a growing narrative about dangers facing journalists in India, further underscoring the country’s declining status in global press freedom indices. The precarious situation raises pressing concerns over media rights and the scope of civil liberties in the world's largest democracy.
