Background
Amir Hamza is a journalist from Patna, Bihar. He works with a YouTube news channel called “The Activist.” The Activist is an important platform that airs reports on caste-based discrimination and the marginalization of religious minorities. His colleague Ved Prakash said that Hamza was a trained journalist and had joined the service of “The Activist” only one and a half months before his arrest. It is still unclear why the police decided to detain and charge Hamza.
He was arrested while covering the protests in Patna on June 18, 2022. His advocates argued that Hamza was, in fact, roughed up and shoved by police officials and was not allowed to cover the protests.
In a tweet, journalist Anmol Pritam said, “आमिर हमजा का गुनाह बस इतना है वो आमिर है आलोक या अर्नब नहीं.” (Amir’s only fault is that he is Amir and not Alok or Arnab, referring to his Muslim identity).
Charges and Allegations
Section 353 of the Indian Penal Code (obstructing a police officer on duty)
Current status
Hamza’s lawyer pointed out to the magistrate that police had detained Hamza without following any procedure in the morning. He was produced before a magistrate more than 24 hours after his arrest.
Not yet released.