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
my dear DK people plz throw this chut*ya man to arabian sea...alone with some bootlicking slave like BD,VHP etc.
I think our prime minister dont know the latest result declared of PUC II. may be he came to insult us. Or I think he thought he is in UP where more then 150 schools Is having all children failed where our BJPs star campainer Mr Yogi is CM of that state. Mr Prime minister i think you need a peace of paper from your adviser before you start you lies.
following positions ?
Pakoda manager
pakoda supervisor
pakoda salesman
pakoda engineer
etc.....
Modi dont know how many Jobs he have Created every year, Upon that he is Blaming Congress.. Hahaha What a Joke :D Till now what all Modi promised we didnt get anything and till he is in power people of India will not get anything and will Suffer.
#PakodaBusiness #BoycottChaiwala
People and media should boycott such blabber public programmes
Modiji graduates in karnataka far better than graduates of PAKODAS in your area.
We people dont have Alzheimer's disease. We didnt forget your election speech and your promises. B#####d
Dont you have shame feku..!
You are not fit for PM post. You fit for nothing.. shameless
Joke of the year.. This Feku came to power by promising lakhs of jobs in India. Till now he didnt act for that and he mocked youths by pakoda business statement
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