New Delhi, June 16, 2021 (PPI-OT):In Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, instead of punishing the Hindu extremists involved in the mob attack on a Muslim man, the Indian police have filed an FIR against politicians, journalists, a media outlet and Twitter. The mob attack on the Muslim man Abdul Samad in Ghaziabad sparked massive outrage. However, Indian police have registered an FIR against politicians, journalists, media outlet The Wire and social media company Twitter on charges of posting provocative tweets which allegedly promoted communal division.

An officer at Loni Border police station confirmed the FIR. He told media that these people had “exaggerated the incident”. South Asian Wire reported that the FIR names Congress leaders Dr Shama Mohammed, who is party spokesperson; youth leaders Salman Nizami and Mashkoor Usmani; journalist Mohammed Zubair who is associated with Alt News; independent journalists Rana Ayyub and Saba Naqvi; and news portal The Wire.

The police have invoked different sections of the Indian Penal Code including 153 (provocation for rioting), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 295A (acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 505 (mischief), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention) against them. Mashkur Usmani while responding to the development said, “I am trying to understand the matter. I will give my reaction after consulting lawyers and my party.”

Few days back, a video had surfaced on social media showing a group of Hindu extremists assaulting and abusing an elderly Muslim. The incident took place in Delhi’s outskirts in Loni in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district on June 05. Abdul Samad had alleged that he was forced to shout Jai Shree Ram. His beard was also cut by the attackers.

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