NEW DELHI: Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International India, have expressed solidarity with Mohammad Zubair, co-founder of fact-checking platform Alt News. Zubair faces allegations by the Uttar Pradesh Police of “endangering the sovereignty and unity of India” under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The charges stem from a social media post by Zubair highlighting a hate speech by Hindutva preacher Yati Narsinghanand.
The Uttar Pradesh Police informed the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday that Section 152, addressing acts threatening India’s sovereignty, had been added to the FIR filed against Zubair on October 7.
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Amnesty International India condemned the inclusion of Section 152, calling it a misuse of the law to target journalists. The organization likened it to the colonial-era sedition law, now revamped under the BNS, stating it has been historically used to stifle dissent and freedom of expression.
“For far too long, authorities have misused such laws to harass human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and artists for peacefully exercising their rights,” Amnesty said in a statement.
The Press Club of India also criticized the Uttar Pradesh Police’s actions, describing the accusations against Zubair as an attack on press freedom.
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Zubair has received widespread support from human rights defenders and journalists who argue that the charges aim to silence critical voices exposing hate speech and communal incitement. Owaisi joined the chorus of solidarity on Thursday, reiterating his support for Zubair’s work as a fact-checker.
The case highlights ongoing tensions in India over the balance between maintaining national integrity and protecting freedom of expression. The Allahabad High Court will continue hearing the case, with growing scrutiny from domestic and international watchdogs.