The hashtag #ArrestExMuslimSameer was trending across India on the X platform today. This followed the circulation of a video showing a man desecrating the Quran by stepping on it, tearing its pages, and setting it on fire. As the video went viral, there were widespread demands for the perpetrator to be identified and arrested.
Mohammed Zubair, cofounder of Alt News and a self-proclaimed fact-checker, quickly attempted to capitalize on the issue. He posted a tweet tagging the Haridwar and Uttarakhand Police, claiming the incident took place in Roorkee and urging them to investigate. Zubair’s tweet, presumably based on information from his Whatsapp university sources, rapidly gained traction, prompting calls for police action.
Mohammed Zubair stated, “A video doing rounds on social media where a Youtuber from Roorkee has posted a video of him burning and stamping Quran. Request you to kindly look into this ASAP. C’C: @haridwarpolice @uttarakhandcops Not sharing the sensitive video and his personal details here on this platform. Can DM his details if needed.”
However, the Haridwar Police soon refuted Zubair’s claims, stating that the individual in the video had not resided in the mentioned location for the past three years. They confirmed that no such incidents of disrespect towards the Quran had occurred in Haridwar district. The police also warned that legal action would be taken against those spreading unverified claims, recognizing the potential for such misinformation to cause law and order issues.
Haridwar Police responding immediately to the sensitivity of law and order stated, “In the referenced case, Ex-Muslim Sameer is not living in a place called ‘Padli Gurjar’ for the last 3 years nor has any incident of disrespect to the Holy Quran taken place anywhere in Haridwar district. Therefore, do not share the matter without information otherwise legal action can be taken against you.”
संदर्भित प्रकरण में Ex-मुस्लिम समीर पिछले लगभग 03 साल से 'पाडली गुर्जर' नामक स्थान में नहीं रह रहा है और न ही जनपद हरिद्वार में कहीं भी पवित्र कुरान की बेअदबी का कोई प्रकरण हुआ है।
अतः बिना जानकारी के प्रकरण को शेयर न करें अन्यथा आपके विरुद्ध वैधानिक कार्यवाही की जा सकती है। pic.twitter.com/hxSGtskzTM
— Haridwar Police Uttarakhand (@haridwarpolice) May 27, 2024
Zubair’s previous actions have also drawn criticism. In 2022, he shared an incomplete video of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s comments on Prophet Muhammad, which led to widespread riots and violence. This incident resulted in deaths and threats, including calls for Sharma’s execution and public effigies. People like Kanhaiya Lal and Umesh Kolhe became victims of Islamist violence after supporting Sharma.
This is not the first time Zubair has been accused of spreading falsehoods or posting provocative content. Both he and Alt News, along with cofounder Pratik Sinha, have faced allegations of lying and disseminating misleading information. Critics argue that Alt News often acts as an Islamic propaganda site under the guise of selective fact-checking, shielding Islamists and their actions.
(With Inputs From OpIndia)
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