BeyondHeadlines News Desk
Social activist Salam’s case of alleged disrespect towards the National anthem “would not stand legal scrutiny”, said Chairperson of the Salman Justice Forum B.R.P. Bhaskar in Trivandrum.
While addressing the media persons on Thursday Mr. Bhaskar said the case of allegedly insulting of the national anthem against Salam is based on “false charges” and is not legally “untenable”.
Salam is inhumanely charged under IT Act 66A, IPC 124 A. The case against him is “fabricated” and framed under false charges, said SJF. It added that as per Disrespect to National Honor Act, not standing while the national song is being played is not a criminal offense.
In 2002, some people refused to stand up while national anthem was being played during Independence Day celebration. The court dismissed the case against Laloo Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi regarding the issue with similar arguments.
Now Salman is being charged for not standing up while the national anthem is being sung in the theater. Salman was one among many who did not stand up. But Salman was targeted by a group believed to be rightwing associate.
Police also alleged that Salman had put up a status message insulting the national anthem on 15th August. However, he was not talking about the national anthem in that post, said SJF. Rather he was actually doing a parody of the Malayalam song, Bharathamenaal Parin naduvil Kevalamoru Pindi Mannalla” (Bharatham is not just a scoop of dust on this earth).
How can a political parody of this song be viewed as treason? In a post following the above discussed post, he made his point of view very clear. It must be viewed as a critique. Branding Salman as a traitor for this is being done with utmost malafide intentions, SJF noted.
Interestingly, in the Bijoe Emmanuel and Ors. vs State of Kerala and Ors case, the Apex court ruled that children from Yahowa’s Witness community need not be forced to sing the national anthem as it goes against their religious beliefs.
SJF remarked that the police is continuously hunting Salman and his friends, and trying to intimidate by harassing and threatening Salman’s friends. It said in order to retain our democratic rights, relentlessly protests against such fascist, undemocratic attitudes is required. It demanded unconditionally release of Salman.
