Will give fitting reply to false cases against me through legal battle, not afraid of arrest: Zubair
AltNews Co-founder Mohammed Zubair speaks to Vartha Bharati
Bengaluru: AltNews co-founder Mohammed Zubair who was recently released on bail by the Supreme Court after being arrested by Delhi Police in connection with one of his tweets from 2018, in an interview with Vartha Bharati Zubair spoke about the government’s attack on fair and free journalism.
During the interview, Zubair accused the current establishment of having organized involvement in the spreading of fake news and how it takes political advantage and turns a blind eye to those involved in it. He also added that he would give a befitting reply to the false cases registered against him by fighting the legal battle asserting that he has complete faith in the judiciary of the country.
Below are the excerpts from Mohammed Zubair’s interview with Vartha Bharati:
VB: What do you feel about the case in which you were arrested?
Zubair: The case registered against me is not serious in nature. The background of the complainant is also not clear. I feel the case was only registered against me so that I can be arrested.
VB: Were you questioned or had faced any inquiry before being arrested in this case regarding a tweet?
Zubair: Four years ago in 2018 they registered a case against me over something small that I posted on social media. After that I was taken into police custody now, without any inquiry regarding the case. It was clear oppression.
VB: How many cases have been registered against you so far?
Zubair: Some of the organisations backed by Sangh Parivar have always been targeting me. Currently, multiple cases have been filed against me in Uttar Pradesh. From what I know, four cases have been registered against me in UP, two in New Delhi, and one in Madhya Pradesh.
VB: Do you feel now we cannot restrict spreaders of fake news?
Zubair: Some of the parties have been taking political advantage using fake news. Hence, you don’t see legal action against those who spread fake news. But those who raise voices against this, are threatened and silenced by jailing them.
VB: There are serious charges on deposits into your bank account. What do you have to say about that?
Zubair: It is actually not my personal account. It is our company’s bank account. The money paid by the subscribers was deposited once. There’s nothing unusual about it, but some people have spread rumors that I have received money from foreign countries.
VB: What are your views on false cases?
Zubair: To the false cases registered against me, I will fight a legal battle and give it a fitting reply. There are reports that the police were under pressure to file cases against me even when they didn’t have anything to press charges against me.
VB: What would your message to the government be for allegedly targeting and arresting you?
Zubair: Instead of taking action against those spreading fake news, triggering communal riots, and threatening law and order the government and police have largely remained silent on it. I would ask the government if I am wrong in exposing these elements when they are silent.
VB: Do you fear getting arrested?
Zubair: I am not afraid of the system because I am fighting for the truth. I respect the Constitution of this country and I have complete faith in the judiciary.
VB: Do you think there is a conspiracy to silence journalists who speak the truth by arresting them?
Zubair: The central government and Sangh Parivar-backed organizations target those who question and raise their voice against their ideologies and lies. They harass them by targeting them individually. But you don’t have to be afraid about it. If you are fighting for the truth, and if you are confident about it, nobody can harm you.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
