The Mumbai Police on Monday registered an FIR against writer and “story-teller” Mehak Mirza Prabhu for holding a “Free Kashmir” during the anti-JNU violence protests at the Gateway of India in south Mumbai on Monday evening.
The Colaba police registered an FIR against Prabhu under section 153-B (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) of IPC for holding a “Free Kashmir” placard.
The Colaba police also registered an FIR against Suvarna Salve, Firoz Mithiborwala, Umar Khalid and other activists for unlawful assembly at Gateway of India, while the MRA Marg police registered an FIR against 31 protestors including Suvarna Salve, Mithiborwala, Umar khalid and others for taking out morcha from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India and another FIR against ABVP students for their protest at Hutatma Chowk in south Mumbai.
Earlier in the day, under severe flak from various quarters for holding “Free Kashmir” during the anti-JNU violence protests at the Gateway of India, Mehak Mirza Prabhu apologised for her act and said that through her placard, all she intended to convey that Kashmir be freed from internet lockdown witnessed during the last five months.
On a day when former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Fadnavis and hundreds of others slammed her act saying that it was part of an “anti Indian campaign”, Prabhu put out a video on Facebook to explain the objective behind her holding “Free Kashmir” placard at Monday’s protests near the Gateway of India.
“The picture created by entire social media came as an absolute shock to me. Placard meant freedom to express themselves(sic), freedom from the internet lockdown which many people have been voicing for. I was voicing my solidarity for basic constitutional right. No other agenda or motive what so ever. If by being naive in understanding the impact it would have, and in the process created this stir, I apologise,” Prabhu said in her preface to her video message.
The day began with Fadnavis putting out a tweet: “Protest is for what exactly? Why slogans of “Free Kashmir”? How can we tolerate such separatist elements in Mumbai? ‘Free Kashmir’ slogans by Azadi gang at 2km from CMO? Uddhav ji are you going to tolerate this Free Kashmir Anti India campaign right under your nose???”.
Senior Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil responded swiftly to Fadnavis’ tweet and said: Devendraji It’s ‘free Kashmir’ from all discriminations, bans on cellular networks and central control. I can’t believe that responsible leader like you trying to confuse people by decoding words in such a hatred way. Is it losing power or losing self control?”.
In quick retort, Fadnavis responded to Patil, tweeting: What a pity! Now separatist tendencies get a Government advocate. Jayantrao, this vote bank politics is not expected from you. Kashmir has already been freed from discrimination and ... certain curbs have been there since decades for security concerns. Be it in the Govt or opposition, for us, the only principle is NATION FIRST!”
Shiv Sena spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut said that his party would not tolerate if anybody talks of freedom of Kashmir from India. “I read that the person who held the ‘Free Kashmir’ poster has clarified that she meant the people of Kashmir should be free from restrictions on Internet services, mobile services and other issues. It doesn’t mean that they advocate freedom from India,” Raut said, while talking to media persons.
Meanwhile, in her video, Prabhu said: “First of all let me tell you that I am not a Kashmiri.. My surname is Prabhu. I am a Maharashtra. I am born and brought up in Mumbai. The narrative that is being put out (that I am a Kashmiri) is absolutely wrong.
“Like anybody elsewhere who believes in democracy, I had also joined the protest (at the Gateway of India) last evening. There were a lot of groups. Some were singing, while others were raising slogans about all the issues. We were there to express our solidarity with the JNU students. I was going around. People were making placards,” she said.
“The first thing came to my mind is that I am here to talk about basic constitutional rights and freedom. Because of the shutdown that there is in Kashmir for the last five months, those rights are not there for Kashmiris. You say that they ( Kashmiris) are ours, we have to treat them as ours. They should get basic rights that we are getting. They should have freedom to express themselves It was with this thought in mind that I held that “Free Kashmir” placard I was quietly standing with a flower in my hand,” she said.
“Some people are saying that I am member of some gang or organisation. I have been paid to stand there. That was not the case with me. You can find out all about me. I am a story teller. All my stories are there on Youtube. You can see for yourselves what are the things I talk about. I am a compassionate person. You see my techtop, you will get know all about my life and what I have been doing all these years,” she said.
“The way the whole thing has gone is very scary. I am just a simple person. As a woman, it is scary for my safety right now. Please spread my side of the story among the people. Let’s stop it here. If it has happened to me, it can happen to anyone. I do not want to live with so much of fear,” Prabhu concluded.