New Delhi: The Press Club of India condemned the arrest of Muhammad Zubair, co-founder of AltNews, a fact-checking site, by the Delhi police on the alleged charge of hurting religious sentiments.
The arrest comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the G7 meet in Germany where the signatories committed to "protect freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief and promoting inter-faith dialogue."
"It is disturbing that Delhi Police arrested AltNews co-founder around the same time when PM Modi was associating himself with the noble declaration along with the world leaders. Are the Union Home Ministry and Delhi Police not on the same page with the Prime Minister on the commitment to freedom of expression?" questioned Vinay Kumar, Secretary-General in the Press Release.
AltNews, as a fact-checking site, was a good instrument that filtered misinformation and fake news that aimed to create fissures in the society. The independent, non-profit fact-checking website was performing its duty in the largest known democracy in the world. Constant vigilance was the only price paid for its service. It is sad to know that the arrest was for a post made back in 2018, added the statement.
The Press Club of India has demanded the release of Muhammed Zubair, as the arrest has defied both the law and common sense.