New Delhi: Six persons,
including a private school teacher in Udaipur and three engineering
students from Kashmir who were studying in Agra, have been arrested for
allegedly posting objectionable messages on social media or raising
“anti-national slogans” after Pakistan’s victory over India in the T20
cricket World Cup.
Uttar Pradesh Police said seven persons have been booked in five
cases in districts of Agra, Bareilly, Badaun and Sitapur. Out of them,
five have been arrested, the police said on its Twitter handle.
Two more persons were detained by Jammu and Kashmir police, taking
the number of detainees to eight in the case of pro-Pakistani slogans
raised by some people in Samba district after the match.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police had earlier registered two cases under
the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against some
medical students living in hostels at the Government Medical College in
Karan Nagar in Srinagar and SKIMS Soura. The action came after videos
posted on social media showed students and others raising objectionable
slogans and celebrating Pakistan’s victory in the high-voltage match
between the traditional rivals.
Nafeesa Attari, a teacher
who was sacked by Neerja Modi School Udaipur management for posting a
celebratory WhatsApp status, was arrested on Wednesday morning,
according to SHO of Amba Mata police station Narpat Singh. He said that
the teacher has been arrested under IPC section 153 (B) (Imputations,
assertions prejudicial to national integration).
Attari had put up a picture of Pakistani players with the caption,
“Jeeeet gayeeee, We wonnn”. After screenshots of her WhatsApp status
went viral on social media, the school management terminated her and a
case was registered against her.
The teacher had released a video statement apologising for the post
and saying she did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiment. “Someone
messaged me and asked whether ‘you support Pakistan’. As the message had
emojis and it was an environment of fun, I replied ‘Yes’. But, it
doesn’t mean anywhere that I support Pakistan. I am an Indian and I love
India. I love India as much as everyone else does,” Attari said in her
video message.
She further said, “As soon as I realised that I have made a mistake, I
deleted the status message. I am sorry if I have hurt anybody’s
sentiments.”
An FIR was registered at the Jagdishpura police station in Agra
against three Kashmiri students from Raja Balwant Singh Management
Technical Campus who were earlier suspended by the college and a police
complaint filed against them by local BJP leaders.
SP City Vikas Kumar said, “Three engineering college students have
been arrested after the complaint received against them on Tuesday.”
They have been booked under IPC Section 153 A (promoting enmity
between different groups), 505 (1)(B) (with intent to cause, or which is
likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public) and Section 66 F of the
Information Technology Act, the police said.
Dr Pankaj Gupta, director of administration and finance at the
institute, had said on Tuesday that the students were suspended with
immediate effect. “The students were studying under the Prime Minister
Super Special Scheme. We have also apprised the PM office and AICTE of
the students’ act. However, students have apologised,” Gupta had said.
On Wednesday, right-wing Hindu outfits protested at the Collectorate
premises and demanded action against the students who celebrated
Pakistan cricket’s victory against the Indian team. They also submitted a
memorandum to the officials concerned in this connection.
“Yesterday, the college was functioning like it does when around 3.45
pm, several outside elements entered the college premises illegally and
disrupted the studies. They also tried to forcefully enter the hostel,
which is wrong and unacceptable. They did not have any conversation with
the director of the college regarding this. When they could not enter
the hostels, they raised slogans in the premises and also blocked the
road outside,” reads the statement issued by the college, according to Indian Express.
“They also used objectionable language against the three students and
also the college administration. They also said the college is a
shelter for youths with separatist ideology, and made an attempt to ruin
the college’s image,” it continues.
While many have expressed outrage on social media and demanded action
against those seen in the celebratory videos, others have said there
was nothing wrong with supporting another team.
Several
leaders from Jammu and Kashmir including PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti
disapproved of the police action and said it will further alienate the
youths. Others have also said that the action – particularly the UAPA
cases and arrests – are unfair and overboard, since all the students
were doing was supporting a sporting team.
(With PTI inputs)
Social media is bold.
Social media is young.
Social media raises questions.
Social media is not satisfied with an answer.
Social media looks at the big picture.
Social media is interested in every detail.
social media is curious.
Social media is free.
Social media is irreplaceable.
But never irrelevant.
Social media is you.
(With input from news agency language)
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