Thane youth thrashed for using free speech?

Image Courtesy: freepressjournal.in

A 19-year-old youth from Bhiwandi in Thane, Maharashtra survived a mob attack on June 12, 2022 after he posted a remark on social media commenting on suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma’s controversial speech. According to India Today, the youth was also remanded to five-day police custody after he was booked for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and creating enmity between two groups.

Bhiwandi resident Shaad Ashfaq Ansari put up a post on social media regarding Sharma’s speech. In his Instagram story Ansari challenged the rationale of a 50-year-old marrying an underage girl. In the subsequent story he clarified that while he did not support any religion, he voiced concern about an intolerable world that reacted to criticism of a person who died many years ago.

Essentially, Ansari exercised his freedom of speech by questioning the strong reactions to Sharma’s dubious comments. However, in supporting her speech, Ansari ended up attracting the anger of atleast around 125 people in the area. A huge mob gathered outside his house and demanded that the youth apologise for his post. Further, the mob proceeded to slap, thrash and force the boy to read a Kalma (Islamic prayer).

Such behaviour is quite similar to that of Hindutva goons, who target unassuming Muslims and force them to chant Hanuman Chalisa. Here, Ansari went through a similar ordeal. Worse still, when the police arrived, they took away the boy citing a complaint from 18 persons identified and have to appear before court Faraz Fazal Bahaudding alias Baba. He was remanded to police custody for five days under Section 153A. Following coverage from India Today, the police then identified the 18 people who assaulted Ansari and charged them for unlawful assembly, rioting, wrongful restraint, criminal intimidation among other IPC sections. Police also increased security personnel in the area to avoid any kind of untoward incident.

On June 10, large sections of India’s Muslim community reacted in a collective manner against Sharma’s anti-Islamic remarks, particularly against Prophet Mohammad. Her remarks even outraged several Muslim, Gulf countries that demanded an apology from India.

In recent days over 400 people have been arrested for demanding Sharma’s arrest. However, in Ansari’s case, the mob acted the same as right-wing activists who penalize Muslims for wearing skull caps or travelling in public transport with other Hindu folk.

The Mumbai and Parbhani police of Maharashtra have filed FIRs against Sharma as well as TV news anchor Navika Kumar. However, as no arrests have been initiated by the authorities even by June 15, the Muslim community simmers in anger.

Outbursts have taken the form of alleged stone pelting in Kanpur, Ranchi, Prayagraj (Allahabad) and in Maharashtra’s case via a mob attacking a teenager in Bhiwandi.