Muslim must salute and sing India’s anthem to show loyalty

POLICE in India have ordered a 22-year-old Muslim to prove he is not a traitor by leading today’s celebrations of the split from Pakistan in 1947.

Dilnawaz Alam was accused by neighbours in Sheohar District, northeast India, of posting pro-pakistan content on his Facebook page ahead of the 70th anniversary of partition.

An official said that in order to show his repentance, Mr Alam “has undertaken to participate in the Independence day function with suitable fervour by putting up the national flag on the mast, salut[ing] it during its unfurling and join[ing] others in singing the national anthem”.

Over the weekend Mr Alam, a member of India’s 172million Muslim minority, also washed the walls of the local police station and cleared its grounds of litter. The district superintendent said that Mr Alam had agreed voluntarily to “mend his ways and thoughts”, rather than face worse punishment.

It is the latest case in a growing number relying on hazy laws that forbid “anti-nationalist” sentiment, which critics say has created an atmosphere of suspicion and hostility towards minorities. In June, 15 Muslim men were arrested for “shouting pro-pakistan slogans” after the country’s victory over India in the cricket World Cup final.

The 70th anniversary of partition, an event that led to sectarian violence between Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims, comes in a particularly frosty period for relations between India and Pakistan.