Allahabad High Court questions Mohammed Zubair's use of social media over hate speech post
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court, during a hearing on Tuesday, raised questions about Alt-News co-founder Mohammed Zubair’s decision to post about hate speech on social media instead of filing a complaint or seeking legal intervention. The case pertains to an FIR lodged against Zubair by the Ghaziabad Police, accusing him of promoting enmity among religious groups through a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Zubair’s post highlighted a hate speech made by controversial figure Yati Narsinghanand. A division bench of Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra orally remarked on Zubair’s actions, suggesting that he was trying to create social unrest by sharing the content on social media.
Addressing Zubair’s actions, Justice Varma asked, “If this person (referring to Yati Narsinghanand) is acting funny, then instead of going to the police, will you act more funny? Have you lodged an FIR against him? I will look at your conduct. If you don’t like his (Yati’s) speech or face, you should file an FIR against him.”
The court emphasized that social media should not be used to create social disharmony, with Justice Varma stating, “Your rights end where my nose begins. Whatever he (Yati) says, you cannot go to social media…Who denies that Twitter cannot be used, but you cannot use it to instigate unrest. Glancing at the tweet shows that you are trying to create unrest.”
Zubair, a prominent fact-checker, defended his post, asserting that he was exercising his right to freedom of speech by highlighting Narsinghanand’s conduct and hate speech. Represented by Senior Counsel, Zubair argued that his post was not isolated, as various news outlets and social media users had also addressed the issue.
The Senior Counsel added, “Zubair did not say anything different from others who reported on the matter. His post was merely a reference to the hate speech and not an attempt to create unrest.”
During the hearing, Zubair’s counsel pointed to a 2022 Supreme Court observation, which stated that journalists should not be restricted from expressing themselves on social media. The counsel recalled a statement by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who, while granting interim bail to Zubair in a similar case, said: “It is like telling a lawyer that you should not argue. How can we tell a journalist that he will not write or utter a word?”
Justice Varma, however, reiterated that social media posts must be cautious and responsible, especially in sensitive matters that could affect societal harmony.
The FIR against Zubair was lodged last month by the Ghaziabad Police following a complaint from an associate of Yati Narsinghanand. The complaint accused Zubair of promoting enmity between religious groups through his social media post.
The matter is now scheduled for its next hearing on Friday, December 20.
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Man mowed down by speeding car in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A man was allegedly mowed down by a speeding car on MG Road in the heart of the city on early Friday morning, police said.
Srinivas, who was in his late 50s, died on the spot in the accident that occurred at Anil Kumble Junction here, they said.
According to police, the accident occurred at around 4.30 am. Srinivas was walking along the side of the road when a car travelling at high speed allegedly hit him with immense force. The driver of the offending vehicle fled the spot.
The impact of the accident was so severe that Srinivas died on the spot, a senior police officer said.
A case of accident under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death due to negligence has been registered, he said.
CCTV cameras installed in the area are being analysed to identify the offending vehicle, police said, adding that further investigation is underway.
