Synopsis: Independent journalist Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek was arrested in Nagpur for allegedly spreading anti-government and anti-Army sentiments. It is alleged that Sydeek’s arrest was politically motivated and linked to his social media post criticising “Israel-like” solutions in Kashmir. His social media handle has been withheld in India.
Kerala-based Left-wing activist and independent journalist Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek (26) was arrested in Nagpur in Maharashtra on Thursday, 8 May, for allegedly spreading anti-government and anti-Army sentiments through social media posts amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
Rejaz, a resident of Edapally in the Ernakulam district, was picked up by the Lakadganj police while he was on his way back to Kerala from Delhi on Thursday.
He had travelled to the national capital to attend a press conference organised by the ‘Campaign Against State Repression’ on World Press Freedom Day, which called for the release of incarcerated journalists in India.
The police also took Isha Kumari, a local resident and a friend of Rejaz, into custody. However, she was later released. According to the FIR, he had made posts critical of Operation Sindoor and Operation Kagaar, against Maoists.
This marks the second FIR against Rejaz in 10 days; the first one was for attending a pro-Kashmir protest in Kochi on 29 April.
‘Acted on intelligence inputs’
Police said they were acting on intelligence inputs and seized three books from his room — He who Defied Death: Life and Times of Prof. GN Saibaba, The Great legacy of Marxism-Leninism, and Only People Make Their Own History — along with a T-shirt he allegedly wore in a social media post while posing with two guns. The authenticity of the guns is unclear.
According to the FIR, Rejaz has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 149 (unlawful assembly), 192 (fabricating false evidence), 351(1)(b), 352(3), and 353(3).
According to the police, Rejaz, who has been residing in Nagpur for the past three days, made an Instagram post where he wrote “Indian Army Murdabad” in response to Operation Sindoor, which he condemned along with Operation Kagaar in Chhattisgarh. His social media handle has been withheld in India.
Officials said his social media activity and personal belongings, including books and English letters, indicated possible links with banned outfits.
This story was originally published in thesouthfirst.com. Read the full story here.
