Following the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s orders, Faizan, who was caught on video raising a pro-Pakistan slogan, arrived at the Misrod police station on Tuesday to salute the national flag 21 times while chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”
As part of his bail conditions, Faizan has to repeat this on the first and fourth Tuesday of every month until the trial ends. This unusual punishment aims to instil national pride and responsibility in him. His actions were recorded and observed by the media, as per police station in-charge Manish Raj Bhadoriya.
As per the report by APB Live, Faizan was taken into custody earlier this year after a case was filed at Misrod police station in May. He was charged under Section 153B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for statements that threatened national unity, following the circulation of a video where he could be heard shouting pro-Pakistan slogans.
As per the prosecution, the accused had shouted a pro-Pakistan slogan which amounted to promoting enmity between different groups and his act was prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony and national integration.
In an October 15 ruling, the HC had said, “He is openly shouting slogans against the country in which he was born and brought up”.
Justice D K Paliwal said that Faizan could be granted bail under conditions aimed at “fostering a sense of responsibility and patriotism”. The prosecution argued that the slogans he shouted promoted discord and undermined the maintenance of peace and national integrity.
The court said, “While the applicant has a criminal background and is seen in the video shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ and ‘Hindustan Murdabad,’ taking into consideration all facts and circumstances, the court is of the view that the applicant may be released on bail by imposing some conditions which may instill in him a sense of responsibility and pride for the country in which he was born and lives.”
Among the bail conditions, the court mandated that Faizan must appear at the Misrod police station between 10 AM and 12 noon on the first and fourth Tuesday of every month until the conclusion of his trial. He was also required to salute the national flag unfurled at the police station and raise the slogan “Bharat Mata ki Jai” 21 times.
Manish Raj Bhadoria, in charge of the Misrod police station, confirmed, “He has complied with the High Court’s directions today, which was the fourth Tuesday of the month. A compliance report will be sent to the High Court. Similar reports will be submitted on the first and fourth Tuesday of every month until the conclusion of his trial. If he misses attendance on either of these Tuesdays, a report marking him absent will be sent to the High Court.”
Faizan on Tuesday said, “I’ve realized that I made a grave mistake, and I will never repeat it. I will proudly say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ everywhere. Making reels and raising such (pro-Pakistan and anti-India) slogans on someone else’s challenge was a big mistake. No one should ever go against the country.”
