Absolute hypocrisy: Activists slam govt for arresting Zubair

New Delhi: Condemning the arrest of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, a group of activists on Tuesday said it was “absolute hypocrisy” of the government that his arrest came on a day India committed at the G7 Summit to defend democratic principles and protect the freedom of expression.
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets posted in 2018. His arrest came days after the Gujarat authorities arrested Teesta Setalvad on the charges of “criminal conspiracy, forgery and placing false evidence in court to frame innocent people” in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Also Read Delhi: Journalist Mohammad Zubair remanded to 4-day police custody Criticising the arrests, All India Progressive Women’s Association member Kavita Krishnan alleged it was “absolute hypocrisy” of the prime minister to “use the Constitution of India as window dressing” while he is acting in revenge against activists and journalists who is holding his party accountable.
“I expect more from leaders of world democracies and the international media. When Modi goes to an international stage, he should be asked about his treatment of journalists and activists in India. I find it wrong if he is given a free pass and talk about democracy in India…,” she told PTI.
She also referred to the treatment of India’s Muslim minority and the country’s low ranking in the press freedom index and said the international media should hold Prime Minister Narendra Modi accountable for these.
Shabnam Hashmi, social activist and founder of Anhad, alleged these are times worse than the Emergency.