‘Pro-Taliban’ stand: SP MP booked for sedition
MP accused of equating Taliban’s takeover with India’s own freedom struggle
Sambhal, Aug. 18: Samajwadi Party MP Shafiqur Rehman Barq has been booked for sedition following his recent remarks allegedly defending the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan and equating it with India’s own freedom struggle, the police said on Wednesday.
He was charged under IPC Section 124A (sedition) following a complaint from BJP leader Rajesh Singhal on Tuesday, superintendent of police Chakresh Mishra said.
Following registration of the case, Mr Barq on Wednesday said he was quoted out of context and wrong charges have been levelled against him. “I am with the policies of India,” he said.
The MP has been also booked under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), Mr Mishra said.
Besides Mr Barq, two others — Mohammad Muqueem and Chaudhary Faizan — have also been booked under these Sections. Following the Sambhal MP’s remarks, SP workers Muqueem and Faizan posted material on social media in support of the Taliban, according to the FIR.
Responding to questions from reporters on Monday, Lok Sabha member Barq
had said the Taliban wanted to free their country and it was Afghanistan's internal matter.
He had called the Taliban a force that did not allow Russia or the United States to establish themselves in Afghanistan, “and now they want to run their own country”.
The MP had said that when India was under British Rule, the entire country fought for independence. “They want to be free. This is their personal matter. How can we interfere?” the SP legislator had said on developments in Afghanistan.
Endorsing the Taliban takeover, Mr Barq had said “the Afghans want to run their own country in the manner they wanted”.
The remarks drew sharp criticism from chief minister Yogi Adityanath.
In the state legislative council, the chief minister on Tuesday slammed the Opposition MP.
“He was shamelessly supporting the Taliban. It means supporting their barbaric act. We are a parliamentary democracy. Where are we heading? We are supporting people who are a blot on humanity,” the CM added.