Uttar Pradesh police have arrested 24-year-old Mohammad Aqeel from Mirzapur Narullapur village on charges of sedition after a video of his conversation with a Pakistan-based maulana went viral. Aqeel allegedly asked whether those who died while protecting the local Shahi Jama Masjid in the November 24 violence should be considered martyrs.
The Pakistani religious figure, Maulana Mohammed Ali Mirza, reportedly affirmed that they should be called martyrs. The police claim the viral video was “based on false facts” and “damaged the country’s image.” Aqeel has been booked under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a non-bailable offense related to threats to national integrity.
Shrish Chandra, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), stated, “The video of the conversation hurt sentiments and tarnished India’s reputation. His mobile phone chats with the Pakistani maulana are in our possession, and further evidence is being collected. We are also probing whether he was involved in the November violence.”
Five people were killed, and several, including police personnel, were injured in the clashes that erupted after a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The survey was conducted following claims that the mosque was built on the ruins of a temple.
Aqeel was presented before a local court on Friday and sent to jail. Police are now searching for his alleged associates and examining whether he had further connections in Pakistan.
