Kerala man charged with sedition for liking FB page, 'I love Pakistan'

16 January, 2013

Think twice before you like any page on Facebook, as it may have serious implications. This is what a native from Eloor in Kochi, K H Muhammed Ali learned after he liked a Facebook page titled, 'I Love Pakistan'. This might give you goose bumps: Ali has been charged with sedition and insulting national honour.

ONE WONDERS if it is time for the millions of Facebook users to deactivate their account, as it is bringing uninvited trouble without they being at fault. Ali is the recent example among a list of many.
Because of these charges leveled against Ali, who is a Dubai municipality employee, his family members are facing a social stigma. They have been isolated by the community and relatives and are being treated as traitors, reported The Times of India.

It is very sad to hear about such things, where the family has to undergo so much of pain, especially when Ali has not done anything more than liking a Facebook page. Ali has challenged the FIR registered by the police, as he is said to have filed a petition in Kerala High court.

Are we not even allowed to like what we like or do we have to ask permissions about liking each and every page? If this is how the Indian government deals with Facebook users, it is utter dominance. Ali has been charged for sedition, but the Facebook page does not include any pictures disrespecting the Indian flag. The last prominent figure, who was charged for sedition was Aseem Trivedi for his political cartoons on corruption.

The Kochi police booked Ali for sedition, using offensive languages and also insulting the national flag, which is said to come under 66A of Information Technology Act, 2000 and section 2 of Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971 respectively.

A Facebook like or a post has become a risky affair nowadays, as it might lead one to jail as well. Ali is not the first one to suffer due to a simple 'like' on Facebook, as Shaheen Dhada, 21-year-old student from Mumbai had also posted a status on Facebook that questioned Mumbai shutdown following the death of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, had to face arrest as well. Not only her, college-mate Renu Srinivasan, who had liked the post was also arrested.