After the heinous beheading of Kanhiya Lal in Udaipur, the incidents of death threats and controversial posts on social media are being reported in various parts of Rajasthan. Five persons have been arrested in the Hanumangarh district for circulating objectional content on social media.
The internet services were suspended in the state for three days after the Udaipur incident. Internet and other services were restored in a phased manner on Monday, however, as soon as they were restored, the cases of threats and objectionable content also started coming to the fore on social media.
Beheading Nupur Sharma:
In Ajmer, a man, who identified himself as Salman Chisti announced to give away his house and property as a reward to anyone who beheads suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for controversial remarks on the Prophet. Salman also made a video for this that has gone viral.
In the video, accused Salman Chisti can be heard saying, “I swear on my god, mother and children…I will give away the house and property to anyone who beheads Nupur Sharma.”
After the video went viral, the Ajmer police lodged a case under IT sections, IPC 153-A (promoting enmity on grounds of religion) and other relevant sections.
Additional Superintendent of Police Vikas Sangwan said, "a video of a person making controversial remarks came to us and we registered a case. Investigation revealed that the accused was intoxicated when he made the statements. Efforts are being made to nab the accused who is absconding. The accused is a history-sheeter and has over 15 cases registered against him in the past."
A lawyer, Bhanu Pratap Singh from Ajmer was also threatened on social media. Singh said that he was chatting with someone on Youtube regarding Nupur Sharma’s statement, during which one Suhail Saiyad threatened him saying, ‘Teri to garden kategi.’ (you will be beheaded). The lawyers of Ajmer have complained to the police regarding this.
Five arrested for circulating videos:
In the meantime, five persons were arrested in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan for circulating videos of the Udaipur incident and uploading photos and videos on social media.
According to the police, Sirajuddin Hussain (36) was held in Hanumangarh town for circulating the video of the murder incident in Udaipur. Tarsem Puri was arrested from Sangaria, Rajkumar Jat and Mohammad Shakur were arrested from Sadar, and Pavan Kumar was held from Nohar for uploading photos and videos on social media with arms to create terror among people.
Looking at the number of complaints, the Rajasthan police have appealed to people to use social media to spread communal harmony and stop fake news.
