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
poojareln yenchala lagadi dethha nana hindulene lagadi deppna bodcchi
SDPI supporters please stay away from BJP and JDS.
Because of SDPI's poor decission to run in the previous election BJP won
Congress lost (because Muslim votes got divided between SDPI and Congress.
This time be smart and vote for Congress.
Was your father wakil ? Stfu
Nikkla onji try malpoli.......
they have done good and healthy wedding...what about your shiroor swamiji, he sold his soul to BJP the worst party of india only fraud and evil people will join..
SDPI will not do any illigale and damage to our socity also they will not tigh with CongRSS,they need to avoide to come terorist BJP to win in bantwal ,in this reason SDPI with draw nomination,but sense less you went with BJP with extra marital affair, sham on you sham on your party.
Wa wonder to wonderfull said Khazi Hariram Krishna, best of best luck 'Khazi Hari" good award to you, Thousand Congratulatations keep it Anna do not be a Jeloues!!!! you were luckey to get this award, Shobakka remaining Vacated are you happy go ahead the Ramanathanna to carry out as a Priest to conduct the ceremony!!! If akka willl willed, otherwise you go north to find this age very difficult, there are in our south Indian custems to you no chance accept Akka.
Good luck Khazi Hariramanna
Jai hoo Ramanathanna
Jai Hoo Akkamma akka
I think Harikrishna Bantwal was the Khazi for this secret wedding. But am worried whether the bride will ditch the hubby by secretly going for honeymoon with the BJP.
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