Pro-Taliban statements: SP MP Sambhal Shafiqur Rahman Barq and two others booked for sedition

Uttar Pradesh police has booked Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal Shafiqur Rahman Barq and two others under charges including sedition, for making pro-Taliban statements.

Barq had on Tuesday made a statement defending the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and comparing it with India's freedom struggle.

The complaint was filed against Barq and two others - Faizan Chaudhary and Mohammad Mukim late night in Sambhal by a private person called Rajesh Singhal under charges 124 A (sedition), 153 A (promoting enmity on religious grounds) and 295 A (intention to outrage religious beliefs).


Chakresh Mishra, SP of Sambhal, said the complaint mentioned that in a press briefing, Barq had equated the Taliban with leaders of India's freedom struggle. "This has hurt the sentiments of the public and has insulted the freedom fighters," the complaint read.

"Taliban has been declared a terrorist organisation by the Indian government. Therefore, such statements fall under the category of treason," Mishra said, adding that the other two had also made similar statements on Facebook.

Barq had said the Taliban did not allow either Russia or the US to establish themselves in Afghanistan and wanted to run their own country. He then compared it to India's freedom struggle saying under British rule, the entire country had fought for independence. "They want to be free. This is their personal matter. How can we interfere?" said Barq.