AMU student moves Allahabad High Court against FIR over alleged objectionable speech
Prayagraj: A student of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has approached the Allahabad High Court challenging an FIR filed against him for alleged rioting, wrongful restraint, and misconduct during protests demanding the restoration of students' union elections.
The petitioner, Misbah Qaiser, a B.Arch student, has been accused of delivering an objectionable speech against the university administration, allegedly provoking students to block the Vice Chancellor’s vehicle and attempt damage. The FIR further claims that there was an intention to carry out a deadly attack.
In his criminal writ petition, Qaiser contends that around 100-125 students had gathered to raise concerns about attendance and upcoming exams, denying any unlawful demands or incitement. His legal counsel, Advocates Ali Bin Saif and Kaif Hasan, argued that the FIR is an attempt to suppress students’ voices.
“The university has not only suspended the petitioner and other named students but has also filed an FIR against them, making it a clear abuse of the legal process,” the plea states.
Following the alleged incident, the university has suspended Qaiser, barred him from entering the campus, and ordered him to vacate his hostel.
The High Court is set to hear the matter on February 11.
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BJP accuses Karnataka govt of 'failing' to prevent noise pollution caused by 'azaan'
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Members of the Opposition BJP on Tuesday slammed the Karnataka government for not taking measures to prevent the alleged noise pollution caused by 'azaan', the Islamic call to prayer.
BJP MLC D S Arun raised the issue in the Legislative Council during the question hour, accusing the ruling Congress of "appeasement" by failing to take action against mosques that are violating the Supreme Court's directives.
Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre, responding to the question, said, as per the directives of the Supreme Court in sensitive zones, the noise level should not exceed 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night, and in residential areas, 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
In commercial areas, the noise should not exceed 65 decibels during the day, 55 at night, and in industrial areas, 75 during the day and at night 70 decibels, he said.
Pointing out that the Karnataka government had issued an order in 2022, assigning responsibility to a committee headed by a DySPs or ACPs for the effective implementation of the rules, the minister said when a complaint is received about noise pollution, the Pollution Control Board will inspect it and provide information about the decibel level to the police to take further action, including filing of criminal cases.
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"Not only during azaan, but also during bhajans held in temples and marriage events, among others, the violations happen. There is a need to spread awareness. The Supreme Court has ordered against bursting firecrackers, but it is being violated. Efforts will be made to implement the rules effectively," he said.
Several BJP MLAs, including Arun, Bharathi Shetty, among others, were not satisfied with the minister's reply. They took strong exception to it.
Arun noted that in the last three years, only 52 cases have been taken, and said there are clear violations by almost all mosques, but no action has been taken. "The decibels have in fact increased under this government. The government is giving protection to them."
Reacting to this, Khandre, calling it a "sensitive matter", said, "It is not right to politicise the issue. The law of this land is equal for everyone."
Hitting back, Arun asked, "Why is the matter sensitive? What is preventing you (the government) from implementing the Supreme Court directives?"
