The sedition law, which is no longer in use and had been struck down due to its colonial connection, has been replaced with the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with which the UP police's arrest of a Muslim youth waving a Palestinian flag during a Muharram procession shows it can be interpreted at the discretion of the officials.
PTI reports that the Uttar Pradesh police arrested Sahil alias Badshah and are looking for Mohammad Gorakh for allegedly waving a Palestinian flag during a procession after the sighting of the Muharram moon on Sunday in Bhadohi district.
Sahil and Gorakh have been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration.
The matter came to the police's attention when a video of Sahil waving the flag was shared on social media. The Station House Officer of Aurai police station, Sachchidanand Pandey, stated that the procession in Madho Singh Bazaar was conducted without permission.
Participants in the procession allegedly carried Palestinian flags and shouted slogans, which the police claimed could incite hatred and animosity among the public.
This incident occurs amid heightened global tensions due to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Gaza. The war began on October 7 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 Israeli deaths. In retaliation, Israel has launched extensive air and ground strikes on Gaza, with casualties reported by Al Jazeera reaching at least 38,295 people.
The police emphasized that such actions, especially during sensitive times, could disrupt communal harmony. Sahil's arrest underscores the authorities' vigilance in maintaining public order amid the ongoing international conflict.