Why Did Odisha Police Arrest a 19-Year-Old for Hate Speech?
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Synopsis
In a significant move, Odisha Police arrested a 19-year-old for promoting communal violence and religious hatred through a viral video. The police are intensifying efforts against hate speech on social media, raising awareness and taking down objectionable content. Discover the implications of this arrest on communal harmony in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Odisha Police arrested a 19-year-old for hate speech.
- The video incited communal violence and religious hatred.
- A special campaign is underway against objectionable social media posts.
- Over 500 inflammatory posts were removed in recent efforts.
- Community awareness is crucial in combating hate speech.
Bhubaneswar, Oct 13 (NationPress) The Odisha Police apprehended a 19-year-old individual on Monday, who, along with others, was involved in inciting communal violence and religious hatred through a video that circulated widely on social media platforms.
On October 9, a complaint was lodged by one Radha Madhav Das, leading to the arrest of the accused, Arshad Ali, in the Biridi Police Station region of Jagatsinghpur district on Sunday night.
Das alerted the Commissionerate Police about a video shared on Instagram that contained false, baseless, and provocative hate-speech content.
He expressed concerns that the video could incite communal unrest by offending Hindu sentiments and making violent threats.
“The illegal activities of individuals in the video were live-streamed, where four people were engaged in a video chat promoting religious hatred.
“The conversation not only insulted religious beliefs but also encouraged communal violence while discussing a recent riot incident in Cuttack City,” stated the police on Monday.
The Commissionerate police elaborated that the video chat heightened communal tensions among different religious groups.
Following the case registration (186/25) at the Bhubaneswar Cyber Crime and Economic Offences Police Station, Ali was arrested under various provisions of the BNS and IT Act.
Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Dutta Singh announced that the Commissionerate Police has stepped up efforts against objectionable and inflammatory posts on social media that threaten communal harmony.
“For the past week, we have been running a special campaign targeting hateful and inflammatory posts on social media.
“We have removed over 500 such posts, leading to several arrests, which have yielded positive results. Users who previously shared objectionable content are now more vigilant,” he added on Monday.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the role of responsible media in maintaining communal harmony. The arrest of the 19-year-old for promoting hate speech is a reminder of the need for vigilance against divisive narratives, especially on social media. Upholding the values of unity and coexistence should be at the forefront of our collective efforts to foster a peaceful society.
NationPress
13/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the charges against the 19-year-old?
The 19-year-old, Arshad Ali, was arrested for promoting communal violence and religious hatred through a video that contained inflammatory content.
How did the police respond to the hate speech?
The police intensified their efforts against hate speech on social media, resulting in the removal of over 500 objectionable posts and several arrests.
What sparked the police investigation?
A complaint was lodged by Radha Madhav Das, who raised concerns about a video circulating on Instagram that insulted Hindu sentiments and threatened violence.
What is the significance of this arrest?
This arrest underscores the importance of addressing hate speech to maintain communal harmony and prevent potential violence.
How can social media users contribute to preventing hate speech?
Users can report inflammatory content and be cautious about sharing posts that may perpetuate hate or division among communities.
