Bengaluru, Feb 16: Three students from Kashmir studying at a private engineering college in Hubballi district of Karnataka were arrested on sedition charges for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans and posting a video of it on a messaging platform, police said on Saturday.
Police said, according to preliminary information, the students are from Shopian in Kashmir and action has been taken on the basis of a complaint from the college management.
"We received information that three students hailing from Kashmir studying at the KLE Institute of Technology had raised slogans supporting Pakistan. They had made a video about it which has gone viral. Immediately our team headed by Inspector Gokul Road station went to the spot and arrested them," Hubli-Dharwad Police Commissioner R Dileep said.
Right wing activists, including those from Bajarang Dal who had gathered near the college, demanded stringent action against the three.
As the students were being taken to the police station with their faces covered, an activist tried to attack them, but police escorted them safely.
The FIR has been lodged under IPC sections relating to sedition and affecting communal harmony, the official said.
"We are investigating, and whatever comes out as per evidence, law and facts, we will take further action. We will look into their background, whether anyone has tried to mislead them," Mr Dileep said, adding that the arrest should not be seen as action against any particular community or region.
According to officials, the selfie video of the three has gone viral as they posted it on WhatsApp. In the video one of them can be purportedly seen initially uttering something with background music on, after which they chant ''Azadi'' one after the other. Then joining chorus to the music that is playing, they purportedly say "Pakistan Zindabad."
The music they played is said to be Pakistani military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) song, which police said needs to be ascertained.
The video seems to have been recorded at the college hostel, where the students were put up. College principal Basavaraj Anami said the college has given complaint to the police and the students will be suspended.
The students were admitted under central quota and two are doing their first year civil engineering, while the other is a third year student in the same stream, he said.
According to him, the three had made the video and posted it on WhatsApp.
"It came to our notice in the morning, following which I called the students immediately to my office, and informed the police," the principal told reporters.
"In the video, they have purportedly shouted pro-Pakistan slogans allegedly in the backdrop of the Pulwama attack anniversary yesterday," he added.
Union minister Pralhad Joshi, who hails from the district, described the act unfortunate and demanded strict action against those involved.
Comments
If muslim had super power with nuclear weapon, figther jet etc. and instead of wearing kurth & payjam they wear black suit with tie like american and then drop BOMB on poor yogesh house and kill all your child, wife, mother after that yogesh try to fight back with old rated rifle" THEM MUISLIM WITH BLACK SUIT & TIE CALL YOGESH YOU ARE TRRROEIST"
Dear YOGEST will you accept This?
you should clean your mind before the soul leaves from your body.
the biggest terrorist in the entire universe is AMERICA dont act like them.
Mr. sangeeth....abba what r u saying my friend really???? first check how many criminals are there in BJP party and corrupted politicians one poster boy example is in front of you Mr. yeddy he is CM candidate of karnataka.... and you people are supporting him..... U people are andh bakht who cant see anything accept modi modi and hindutva..... this chors will not feed you and ur family only you have to..... so think of it before you say something
Mr. Yogesh.... what about your relatives sadhvi pragya, karnal purohit, aseemanand are this people desh bhakts...... who havent hoisted the national flag for more than 52 years....wah bhai wah tum karo to nationalist aur hum kare to anti national........ vinaash kaal
Simple thing is in India if a muslim protests or kills then he is branded as terrorist but if non-muslims do the same they are naxals. I just want to know how many Army personnel and citizens have Naxals massacred.
Stop blabbering. Most of your people are traitors and antinationals. If we, bjp not there, then you would have turned our Bharatha into hell
Mr. Khan, You cant say All muslims are not traitors.. 99 percent of terrorists are muslims... You can check anywhere. I am challenging you mr. khan
Present scenario changed alot. If you are working for society then you cant be in any political parties.. All parties are corrupted
Dear SDPI, PFI workers.., Please note this. Dont be slaves of political parties
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