- The Tamil Nadu government conferred the ‘Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award for 2024 upon Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of Alt News.
- Instituted in 2000, the award acknowledges exceptional contributions to fostering communal harmony, presented annually during Republic Day celebrations.
Controversial Recognition:
- Controversy arose as the BJP criticized Chief Minister MK Stalin’s decision to honor Zubair, accusing him of biased manipulation.
- State BJP president K Annamalai labeled the move an insult to past recipients, asserting that Zubair promotes social disharmony.
Zubair’s Response:
- Zubair defended his recognition, emphasizing Alt News’s commitment to debunking fake news and maintaining social harmony.
- He expressed gratitude for the ‘Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award’ and highlighted Alt News’s role in countering dangerous misinformation.
Government’s Acknowledgment:
- The government praised Zubair’s efforts in preventing violence fueled by fake news, particularly citing Alt News’s role in verifying misleading information about attacks on migrant workers in Tamil Nadu.
Background:
- In 2022, Zubair faced legal issues, including arrest by Delhi police, for sharing an old movie from 1983 screenshot, leading to six cases until the Supreme Court granted him bail in 2018.