Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Bollywood actor and director Farhan Akhtar is one of those few celebrities who do not shy away in expressing their views. He is also one of the handfuls from his fraternity who have come out in the support of students protesting the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act. Earlier today, the actor asked the people to join the protest meeting on 19 December. 

Taking to his Twitter account he wrote, “Here’s what you need to know about why these protests are important. See you on the 19th at August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai. The time to protest on social media alone is over.” He also shared a graphic image with the text explaining why CAA is controversial.

But soon, IPS officer Sandeep Mittal replied to Akhtar’s tweet that he has also broken the law deliberately. He wrote, “You also need to know that you have committed an offence  under section 121 of Indian Penal Code and it is not unintentional.” Mittal asked Mumbai Police and National Investigation Agency of India to take action. He attached a YouTube link of video explaining Section 121 of IPC.

It is impossible to understand how Akhtar violates the law as Article 19 (1) of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and an individual’s right to express without any fear. And it has nothing to do with conspiracy of waging war against the state (IPC 121).

It didn’t take long for Twitter users to respond to Mittal’s post and point out that in what way asking people to join protest constitute a war against the nation.

A Twitterite wrote, “Not sure how calling for a protest against a law amounts to waging war against the country. If the protest turns out to be violent then it might apply.”

Another user wrote, “Section-121. Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war against the Government of India. Kindly read 121 IPC and enlighten everyone, how Mr Akhtar is waging war or abetting or attempting to wage war against GOI.”

Yet another person even pointed out that the officer might be misusing his uniform. “I honestly don’t feel Farhan Akhtar has mentioned anywhere that he is waging a war..he just says time to protest on social media is over …this country has also given you everything …I honestly believe Ur using Ur uniform to curb dissent.”

One Twitter user pointed out to Akhtar that the Indian map on the post he shared was not correct. Akhtar soon issued an apology for sharing an incorrect map while asserting that he stands by the text of the image he shared “Every inch and part of Kashmir is a part of India and I reject the inaccurate map. I regret not noticing this earlier. My sincerest apologies for the oversight,” he wrote.

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