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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Sound effect: Farmers play music on solar-powered speakers to keep tigers at bay in Pilibhit
Pilibhit (UP) (PTI): Farmers living in villages adjoining the Mala range of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve have devised an unusual method to keep tigers away from their fields during sugarcane harvesting – playing loud music on solar-powered sound systems.
According to the farmers, the continuous noise helps deter wild animals from entering their fields.
As sugarcane fields are dense and the visibility is low, the risk of sudden encounters with tigers remains high during the harvesting season.
Forest officials described the initiative as a “desi jugaad” that not only enhances safety but also adds an element of entertainment, with loud music echoing across the fields during work hours.
The method has emerged as a unique way to check human-animal conflict.
Ramnagaria, Ajitpur, Jamunia, Mahua, Mala Ghera, Richhola and Basantapur are among the villages located close to the Mala range that frequently witness tiger movement, keeping the residents on edge. Recently, fresh tiger pugmarks were found in a field in Mahua.
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According to forest officials, Krishna Kumar and his associates in Jamunia village pioneered the “musical” method to deal with the threat.
“Working in the dense sugarcane fields is risky business. We believe wild animals move away due to noise, so playing songs loudly helps keep them at a distance,” Kumar said.
The method is proving effective, enabling farmers to carry out agricultural activities in groups without fear, the villagers said.
Several farmers, including Gaurishankar, Tinku, Ram Bahadur, Rakesh Kumar, Prabhu Dayal and Lalaram, have joined Kumar in implementing this innovative approach.
Deputy Ranger Sher Singh said the forest department is also making continuous efforts to spread awareness among the villagers.
“The department is organising meetings to educate farmers about safe and scientific methods to protect themselves from wildlife,” he told reporters.
