Madhya Pradesh High Court Quashes FIR Against Teacher Over Urdu Poem on WhatsApp

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has quashed an FIR filed against contractual teacher Faizan Ansari for sharing a two-minute 21-second Urdu nazm on his WhatsApp status, stating that artistic expression cannot be prosecuted solely on grounds of perceived offensiveness. Justice BP Sharma of the Jabalpur High Court ruled that the poem, titled Be-haya, constituted satirical commentary on patriarchy and women's rights and did not incite violence or target any community.

The case originated on July 22, 2025, when Ansari, posted at Harradhana (Dudhiya) Primary School in Betul, shared a video from a mushaira on his status. The post drew complaints from members of the Madhya Pradesh State Employees' Association, who alleged it was derogatory to women and could disrupt social harmony. Police registered a case under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and seized his mobile phone.

The court found no evidence of incitement, hatred or religious offense, noting the poem was publicly available on Rekhta, a recognized Urdu literature platform. It emphasized that mere subjective hurt sentiments do not justify criminal action, citing Supreme Court precedents protecting free expression under Article 19(1)(a). The judge also acknowledged the online trolling and threats faced by Ansari.

Justice Sharma directed the Superintendent of Police in Betul to ensure Ansari's security and ordered Chicholi Police Station to return his mobile phone immediately. The court held that continuing the case would amount to an abuse of legal process. The ruling underscores judicial safeguards against misuse of criminal law in expression-related cases.