On Monday, the Fifth Additional District and Sessions Court in Hubballi rejected the bail plea of three Kashmiri students who had raised pro-Pakistan slogans by singing Sahir Ali Bagga's song Pakistan Zindabad. Justice K N Gangadhar who had heard the arguments on both the sides in this case on March 5 had postponed the hearing to March 9.
According to Ashok Anvekar, an advocate who is part of the Hubballi Bar Association (HBA), the judge stated that it is not suitable to grant the bail when the case is still in the investigation stage. He is also believed to have stated that since they are from Kashmir, there is a possibility that they might escape to different places. This might create trouble to the security and integrity of the nation. Ashok said, "We will receive the official court communique tomorrow but I feel the decision taken by the judge is right and in the interest of the nation."
The entire Hubballi Bar Association had refused to take up this case and argue on their behalf. Hence B T Venkatesh, an advocate from Bengaluru took up the case and represented them in the court on March 5. While his decision was criticised by Hubballi's lawyers, a lot of people had appreciated for doing his duty and following ethics. When asked about his next step, he said, "I had only hoped to get the students freed from judicial custody so that they could continue their education. Now that the bail is rejected, we will be moving this case to the Hubballi High Court and hope to free the students."
Basit Aashiq Sofi, Talib Mujeed and Amir Mohi Uddin Wani were studying Bachelors of Civil Engineering at the KLE Engineering College in Hubballi and they had posted a video of them singing Pakistan Zindabad on social media. On February 15, Basavaraj Anami, Principal, KLE Engineering College had filed a complaint in the Gokul Road Police Station about this incident and on the same day, the police had arrested the students to keep them in judicial custody. Since the bail has been rejected now so what lies in the futures of these students? He said, "I can't comment anything on this right now. The students were enrolled in our college under the Pradhan Mantri Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir students and this quota is available in all the colleges across India."
Even the AICTE has cut off all financial aid, "Once this news appeared, we got a call from the AICTE office and they asked us to provide the details. Currently, the stipend and other hostel charges that they used to receive from AICTE have been stopped. They used to receive Rs 10,000 cash per month as a stipend. And whether we can take them back to college or not depends on the central government bodies. The hostel room where they stayed has been closed from the time they have been arrested. The police checked the room last month and told us to keep it locked," he added.
