Bhopal: In compliance with a directive from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Faizal Khan, also known as Faizan, saluted the Indian national flag and chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' 21 times at a Bhopal police station on Tuesday. This was a condition imposed by the court for granting him bail in a case related to anti-national slogans.

Khan, accused of shouting slogans such as 'Pakistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad,' was granted bail on the condition that he must visit the Misrod police station twice a month and honour the national flag while chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai.'

Arriving at the Misrod police station under tight security on Tuesday morning, Khan fulfilled his bail requirement by saluting the flag. Speaking to the media afterward, he expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging his mistake.

"I had made a mistake and I have realized it. I am an Indian and will respect the national flag and chant 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai,'" said Khan. He admitted that he had raised anti-national slogans for a video but was unaware at the time of the gravity of his actions. "Now, I would request all my friends not to raise anti-national slogans or disrespect the national flag. I will never make this mistake again," he added.

The officer in charge of Misrod police station confirmed that a video of Khan saluting the national flag and chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' had been recorded and will be submitted to the high court as part of the bail compliance.

On October 15, Justice Dinesh Kumar Paliwal, while hearing Khan’s bail plea, ruled that Khan must visit the Misrod police station on the 1st and 4th Tuesdays of every month until his trial concludes. During each visit, Khan is required to salute the national flag at the police station.

Khan, a resident of Raisen district, was arrested in May for raising anti-national slogans in Bhopal. During the court hearing, his lawyer acknowledged that Khan was indeed seen shouting the slogans in the video, but requested his release on bail with stringent conditions.

Justice Paliwal, noting Khan's criminal background with 13 prior cases, stated that the imposed conditions were designed to instill a sense of responsibility and pride for the country in Khan.

IANS