In a significant development from Uttar Pradesh, the renowned co-founder of Alt News, Mohammed Zubair, finds himself ensnared in a legal net. On 28th August, the UP Police officially booked Zubair under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015's Section 74. His alleged wrongdoing? Sharing a video on social media that exposed a minor's identity.

This pivotal action arises from a complaint submitted on the very same day, emphasizing the swift responsiveness of the authorities. The content in question, shared by Zubair, pertains to an episode unfolding at the Neha Public School in Khubbapur. The complainant, upon viewing the video on 25th August, was quick to discern the breach in conduct, especially concerning the rights and protection minors are accorded under the law.

In an impassioned statement, the complainant recounted, "I came across a video on 25th August in connection to an incident that happened at Neha Public School Khubbapur shared by a journalist of Alt News, Mohammed Zubair." The gravest concern raised was the overt revelation of the minor's identity, which is a clear violation of the privileges safeguarded by the Juvenile Justice Act.

Hoping for justice to prevail, the complainant made a clarion call to the police. The statement poignantly mentioned, “In the video, the minor’s identity was revealed, which is against the rights provided to minors under the Juvenile Justice Act.” The appeal was simple yet emphatic: for the police to enforce strict punitive measures against Mohammed Zubair for this breach.

It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold, but the swift action of the UP police showcases their commitment to upholding the law, especially when it pertains to the vulnerable sections of our society, like our children. As the story unravels, the public, as well as media entities, will be reminded of the responsibilities and legal boundaries within which they must operate, especially in this digital age where information flows freely, but not always responsibly.

NCPCR Steps in to Protect Child Rights Amidst Social Media Frenzy

In a recent controversial episode that has garnered significant attention, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) swiftly moved to protect the rights and privacy of minors. The issue at hand was a disturbing video that depicted a child being assaulted by classmates, allegedly under the direction of a teacher in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing the seriousness of the incident and showing grave concern, NCPCR’s chief, Priyank Kanoongo, made a heartfelt appeal on 25th August. He urged the public, “In Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, the incident of a teacher getting a child beaten up by other children in the class has been reported. Taking cognisance, instructions are being issued for action. Everyone is requested not to share the video of the child." Highlighting the importance of responsible citizenship, he added, "Give information about such incidents by email. Do not become a part of the crime by revealing the identity of the children.”

Source: X

Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of Alt News, became a focal point in this narrative, having shared the contentious video. In response to the warning issued by NCPCR, Zubair promptly deleted the video. However, not without hinting at feeling targeted, he commented, “Deleting the video as NCPCR might take action against the ‘messenger'”. This isn't Zubair's first tryst with such matters; he's previously faced allegations over sharing videos of minors. It's significant to note that he took corrective action only post NCPCR's advisory.

It's imperative to understand the gravity of sharing content that violates the rights of minors. Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act) 2015 provides a robust framework for protection. According to this section, no media or communication form can disclose specifics that could reveal a minor's identity. Only under certain exceptional circumstances, where it's believed to be in the child's best interest, might this be permitted.

But, violations come at a steep cost. As laid down in the Act, breaching this mandate can lead to a jail term of up to six months, a penalty reaching up to Rs. 2 lakh, or even both.

In today's digital age, where the click of a button can amplify any story, the onus lies not just with media houses, but every netizen. Respecting and understanding legal and ethical boundaries is paramount to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable sections of our society.

The contents of the video weren't just an insight into an incident, but a grave reflection of the education system's darker undertones.

This heart-rending footage showcased a young student being subjected to a barrage of slaps from his peers, all under the watchful gaze and instructions of his class teacher. What could possibly have been the young boy's fault? It turns out he had incorrectly recited his multiplication table. While this might have been a trivial error, the repercussions were agonizingly severe for him.

To add layers to this already grim tale, the orchestrator of this punishment was none other than a handicapped teacher, identified as Tripta Tyagi. She isn't merely a staff member but the owner of Neha Public School. Voices from the background of the clip unmistakably captured her urging the students, "Kya tum maar rahe ho? Zor se maaro na (Why are you hitting him lightly? Hit him hard)." Her words reflected a chilling detachment from the gravity of the situation. Furthermore, the usage of the term ‘Mohammedan students’ added a tinge of controversy to the incident.

However, to provide a holistic perspective, the police were swift in addressing this event. SP (Muzaffarnagar) Satyanarayan Prajapat, in an effort to give a comprehensive view, informed, “In the video, the teacher made references to Mohammedan children, suggesting they might go astray if not looked after by their mothers. This narrative was also validated by the individual who recorded the incident.” On the topic of a communal angle that many speculated about, the voices of the victim's father and cousin resonated in unison, fervently denying any such undertones.

The father of the afflicted student, who endured the slaps, made a crystal-clear statement. He asserted that the incident was devoid of any religious or Hindu-Muslim undertones. Any suggestions of such a slant were purely the creations of the "Islamo-leftist cabal" on social media platforms, recklessly fanning the flames of communal unrest.

In a bid to shed light on the authenticity of the video, Nadeem, son of Mohd Imtiaz, and the cousin of the beleaguered student, stepped forward. He was the person behind the lens that captured the gut-wrenching incident. In an earnest recounting, Nadeem elaborated on the context and circumstances surrounding the video. He was adamant that the clip which set social media platforms ablaze had been edited and twisted to present an aggravated and skewed narrative. The heart of the teacher's statement, as per Nadeem, was about Muslim mothers taking their kids to relatives' homes during exams, which may impact their studies. Not once did she cross the line with any anti-Muslim sentiments.

Drawing on personal experiences and aiming to give a broader perspective on the character of Tripta Tyagi, Arib, a 32-year-old former student, reminisced about his school days under her tutelage. Tripta was his English teacher, and he fondly remembered her devoid of any biases. His words echoed the sentiments of many when he stated that she never allowed religious identities to color her judgment. Currently, the beacon of trust in the teacher remains unshaken, as Arib's two-year-old daughter is enrolled in the same institution. She has never faced any discrimination due to her religion and continues to excel in her studies.

In conclusion, this incident underscores the urgency for us to differentiate between reality and the manipulated truths that often emerge on digital platforms. It serves as a reminder of the profound impact that unbiased journalism can have in painting a clear and genuine picture, steering clear from the turmoil of divisive and unverified narratives.