Why was an Indian jailed for 8 months for holding Bharat Jodo Yatra poster in Mecca?

A man from Madhya Pradesh faced a harrowing eight-month confinement in a Saudi Arabian jail after being photographed with a 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' poster in front of the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca.

He returned to India on October 4, made possible with the aid of the Congress party and his family, and accused that he didn't receive any help from the Indian embassy in Saudi.

What happened

Raza Qadri (27), president of Niwari Youth Congress, endured grueling conditions, including minimal food and sleep deprivation during his detainment, reported Dainik Bhaskar.

On January 21, 2023, he went for Hajj with his 75-year-old grandmother. On January 25, while at Mecca's Al-Haram Mosque, he took a photo of himself with a 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' poster and posted it on social media.

Qadri told Bhaskar in an interview that the IT cell of a political party in India kept sending mails against him to the Saudi intelligence group, which led to him being seen as a political agent.

On January 26, he was picked up from his hotel by a group of people and was later arrested.

Harsh treatment, mental torture

Qadri's ordeal in Saudi custody was marked by harsh treatment and mental torture. He was initially held at the Central Jail of Dhahban, where he was confined in a dark room for two months, surviving on meager rations of two bread servings daily, as reported by Dainik Bhaskar.

He was under stringent surveillance, faced incessant interrogations, and endured sleep deprivation tactics, eventually requiring psychiatric intervention.

Rescue and return

With the assistance of a Congress-appointed agent, the Saudi police investigated the case and found no substantial evidence against Raza. The submitted videos as proof were examined, confirming their lack of threat to Saudi Arabia.

Following the completion of necessary paperwork, Raza was finally released after an arduous eight months. His journey back to India was facilitated by the Saudi police, who escorted him to the airport on October 3.

Rules at Al-Haram Mosque, Mecca

In Saudi Arabia, stringent regulations govern public displays and demonstrations near the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca to preserve its sacred status.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques strictly prohibits the exhibition of placards and banners, deeming it akin to advertising or campaigning, thus contradicting the sanctity of the mosque.

Only official signs and banners authorized by mosque authorities for informational purposes are exempt from this rule.

What is not allowed:

• Displaying placards or banners that contain political or religious messages.
• Displaying offensive or discriminatory placards or banners.
• Displaying placards or banners advertising commercial products or services.