Mumbai Police files FIR against protester with 'Free Kashmir' placard at Gateway of India

Mumbai Police filed an FIR against Mahek Mirza, a protestor from Monday night's protest at Gateway of India, for holding a placard that read 'Free Kashmir.' FIR is filed at Colaba police station after protestor sparked a row with her placard in demonstration against BJP government. Mumbai's Occupy Gateyway protest against amended Citizenship Act and violence that was unleashed at JNU campus on Sunday night ended on Tuesday morning. 

As per Republic sources, FIR has been filed under Section 153B, however, Police have still t called her for a statement. Mehak Mirza Prabhu posted a video on YouTube where she said that her act was "misinterpreted" and that her mess was meant to draw focus on five-month-long Internet blockade in region. She also stated she is a native of Maharashtra and t of Kashmir.

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" narrative that has been put out is absolutely misinterpreted... Like anybody else who believes in a democracy, I also joined protest. People were holding placards about many issues like NRC, CAA, (violence against) JNU students and while I was re I spotted a placard that read 'Free Kashmir', Mehak Prabhu said.

Mehak Prabhu, who describes herself as a fictional storyteller, said holding 'Free Kashmir' placard was meant to stand in solidarity with Kashmiris who were out of internet cover for five months. "When I saw this placard first thing that came to my mind is that we are here to talk about basic Constitutional rights and freedom and those rights are gone for Kashmiris as it is under a five-month-long internet shutdown."

She added that Kashmiris have right to enjoy freedom of expression as like any or Indian. Internet connections were snapped on August 5 across erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir last year to avoid unrest following abrogation of Article 370. government has periodically been lifting curbs on communication services. "I was standing re with a flower in my hand to say 'let's offer peace'. That was my only intention to hold that placard."

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Political reaction 

Taking opportunity, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis slammed Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray over "Free Kashmir" poster at protest. He questioned slogans and said, "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 se?"

However, Shiv Sena's Aaditya Thackeray backing protester said that intent of protester should be taken into consideration. On Tuesday morning, opining on issue, Sanjay Raut said that party "would t tolerate anyone talking of freedom of Kashmir from India." Furr stating that poster was misunderstood.