PRAYAGRAJ: Observing that “the unity of India is not made of bamboo seeds which will bend to the passing winds of empty slogans”, the Allahabad high court on Wednesday granted bail to three students of Jammu and Kashmir who were accused of raising pro-Pakistan slogans after India lost to Pakistan in World T-20 match in October last year.
While granting bail to Inayat Altaf Shekh, Shokat Ahmad Gani and Arsheed Yusuf, who hailed from J&K and were students of an engineering college at Agra, Justice Ajay Bhanot also expressed concern that lawyers at Agra had allegedly assaulted the applicants and the bar association had decided not to represent them, hence the applicants had no option but to directly approach the high court.
“If the allegations are true, it is a matter of concern. Lawyers have an oath inscribed in their consciences to assist the cause of law under all circumstances and to serve justice to all those who seek it at all times,” observed the court.
A criminal case of sedition and other offences was registered against the applicants at Jagdishpura police station in Agra, alleging that they had raised pro-Pakistan slogans and also against India in the aftermath of an Indo-Pak match. They also made posts on social media and instigated civil disorder in the country.
The FIR was lodged against the applicants under sections 124A (sedition), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc), 505 (1)(b) (whoever makes publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public, whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the state or against the public tranquillity) of the Indian Penal Code(IPC). These applicants have been in jail since October 27, 2021.
While granting bails to the applicants, the court in its order dated March 30 added, “Students travelling freely to different parts of the country in the quest for knowledge is the true celebration of India’s diversity and a vivid manifestation of India’s unity. It is the duty of the people of the hosting state to create enabling conditions for visiting scholars to learn and to live the constitutional values of our nation. It is also the obligation of the young scholars to imbibe and adhere to such values.”
While granting bail, the court further observed, “The foundations of our nation are more enduring. Eternal ideals bind the indestructible unity of India. Constitutional values create an indissoluble union of India. Every citizen of the country is the custodian, and the state is the sentinel of the unity of India and the constitutional values of the nation.”
