The haste shown by the Delhi Police in reaching Nadeem Khan, the national secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), in Bengaluru, based on an X post by Hindutva supporters alleging that the organisation’s exhibition named the Prime Minister and Home Minister for human rights violations against minorities, raises questions about whose direction the Delhi Police are acting under.
Delhi Police have filed an FIR against Nadeem Khan, national secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), and conducted a series of raids in connection with allegations made by Hindutva supporters on social media, The Wire reported.
The controversy began on November 29, when Delhi Police raided the APCR office. The following day, police officers went to Khan’s brother’s residence in Bengaluru, reportedly attempting to detain him for questioning.
This action followed an FIR filed on November 30, based on a social media post accusing the APCR of promoting enmity through an exhibition documenting human rights violations against minorities. The post, made by a user identified as “Mr Sinha,” claimed that the exhibition, which named senior government officials, incited violence and discord.
Khan, who was in Bengaluru for work at the time, expressed his willingness to cooperate with authorities upon his return to Delhi, but emphasized that no formal arrest warrant had been issued, nor had he been served with a legal notice as required by law.
The FIR filed against Khan lists charges that carry sentences of less than three years, which, according to legal precedents, preclude arrest without further legal proceedings. Despite this, Delhi Police proceeded with their actions, drawing attention to the speed and urgency with which they attempted to question Khan in Bengaluru.
The charges against Khan, stemming from a video explaining the exhibition, include allegations of promoting enmity between groups by portraying Muslims as victims and accusing the government of fuelling hate.
The exhibition at the centre of the controversy, which had previously been displayed in Hyderabad, aimed to raise awareness about human rights violations, particularly focusing on issues like lynchings and demolitions. APCR members have described the exhibition as an effort to educate the public about hate crimes and the legal avenues for addressing them, rather than a tool for inciting violence.
The police actions have sparked widespread criticism from human rights groups, including the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), which condemned the targeted harassment of Khan. This incident is seen by many as part of a broader pattern of suppressing activism, particularly when it comes to Muslim-led organisations that speak out against government policies.
Khan’s lawyers and supporters fear that the charges could be escalated, potentially leading to more serious charges under laws like the National Security Act or the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. As the situation unfolds, the legal and political implications of these actions remain a topic of intense scrutiny.