Salute Tiranga 21 times, chant Bharat Mata ki Jai", court punishes man for saying 'Pakistan Zindabad'

The Madhya Pradesh High Court granted bail to Faizal, a man accused of shouting pro-Pakistan slogans like "Pakistan Zindabad" and anti-India slogans such as "Hindustan Murdabad." Justice Dinesh Kumar Paliwal outlined specific bail conditions intended to instill a sense of national pride and responsibility in Faizal, who has become a controversial figure in the ongoing debate about patriotism and freedom of expression in India.

Faizal was arrested on May 17, 2024, after a video surfaced showing him publicly shouting slogans that allegedly promote enmity between different communities. The prosecution charged him under Section 153B of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses acts promoting hatred between different groups based on religion, race, or place of birth. During the bail hearing, the state’s counsel argued that Faizal was a "habitual offender," with 14 previous criminal cases against him, indicating a pattern of behavior that undermines social harmony. They expressed concern that his actions could incite communal tensions and disrupt public peace.

Despite the prosecution's arguments, Justice Paliwal emphasized the necessity of imposing conditions that could help Faizal develop a sense of responsibility toward his country. The bail conditions require Faizal to visit the Misrod Police Station in Bhopal on the first and fourth Tuesday of every month. During these visits, he must salute the national flag 21 times and chant "Bharat Mata ki Jai" twice, between 10 AM and 12 PM. The court stipulated that the responsibility for ensuring compliance with these conditions would rest with the Bhopal Commissioner.

The court's rationale behind these unique conditions is to instill a patriotic spirit in Faizal, with Justice Paliwal stating, “I am of the view that the applicant may be released on bail by imposing conditions which may enthuse in him the sense of responsibility and a pride for the country in which he is born and living.”

Faizal's defense argued that he was falsely implicated and maintained that his actions were taken out of context. The case has since attracted media attention and sparked debates across social media platforms, focusing on issues of freedom of expression, nationalism, and the boundaries of dissent in a democratic society. Critics have raised concerns about the implications of such bail conditions for individual rights, questioning whether imposing patriotic actions as a condition for bail sets a precedent that could infringe on freedom of speech.