High Court Grants Bail to Man Accused of Anti-India Slogans with Condition to Salute Tricolour

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted bail to Faizan, a man accused of shouting "Pakistan Zindabad" at a protest in Bhopal, under the condition that he salute the national flag 21 times twice a month, accompanied by chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai." Faizan had been detained since May on charges of inciting enmity and disrupting national integration.

While the prosecution presented a video as evidence of Faizan's actions, delays in forensic examination led to a prolonged bail hearing. The court, however, agreed to release Faizan on bail, requiring him to report to the police station on two specific Tuesdays each month to fulfill the court’s patriotic mandate.

The unique bail condition has drawn attention for its unconventional approach to dealing with accusations of anti-national sentiments. Faizan’s defense argued that he was falsely implicated and had no malicious intent, but the court maintained the strict bail terms to ensure compliance and monitor his activities closely. The case has reignited debates about legal frameworks for addressing incidents of alleged anti-national behavior, with some viewing the conditions as a symbolic reaffirmation of national pride.