On Wednesday, Delhi Police stated they had registered cases against people allegedly spreading hate messages over social media. The Police further stated that those people were inciting various groups. Therefore, creating a detrimental atmosphere for the public tranquillity.
Delhi Police said, “…messages of hate, inciting various groups and creating situations which is detrimental for the maintenance of public tranquillity.”
However, on Thursday, the Delhi Police clarified that two FIRs are filed after the analysis of social media space. One FIR is against BJP’s now suspended spokesperson – Nupur Sharma, over her offensive remarks on prophet Muhammad and the global diplomatic crisis.
Subsequently, the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operation (IFSO) unit of the Special Cell has filed the second FIR. The second FIR contains the names of Delhi BJP’s now expelled media unit head – Naveen Kumar Jindal, and Hindu Mahasabha office-bearer – Pooja Shakun Pandey.
On the other side, the second FIR names Maulana Mufti Nadeem, Abdur Rehman, Anil Kumar Meena, Gulzar Ansari, the chief spokesperson of Peace Party Shadab Chauhan, President of AIMIM and MP Asaduddin Owaisi and journalist Saba Naqvi.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (IFSO) KPS Malhotra said, “The FIR is against several individuals cutting across religions.” Malhotra further said, “The unit will investigate the roles of various social media entities in promoting false and wrong information with an intention to create unrest on the cyberspace and that have ramifications on the physical space thereby compromising with the social fabric of the country.”
AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi has responded to the FIR filed against him on Twitter.
Owaisi on Twitter said, “I’ve received an excerpt of the FIR. This is the first FIR I’ve seen that’s not specifying what the crime is. Imagine an FIR about a murder where cops don’t mention the weapon or that the victim bled to death. I don’t know which specific remarks of mine have attracted the FIR…”
The MP further said, “Delhi Police is suffering from “both sideism” or “balance-waad” syndromes. One side has openly insulted our Prophet while the other side has been named to assuage BJP supporters & make it look like there was hate speech on both sides.”
Ultimately Owaisi ended his Twitter thread with, “As for the FIR against me, we will consult our lawyers & address it as and when required. We will not be intimidated by these tactics. Criticising hate speech and giving hate speeches cannot be equated.”
As for Journalist Saba Naqvi an official statement is awaited from her. Meanwhile, her last tweet was on July 7th. She tweeted, “Also, Will be off social media for a bit.”
