The derogatory messages, which were posted through an account created in the name of Mohmmed Ashfak, caused communal tensions in the area. Hindutva groups took up the issue and started targeting Mohammed Ashfak.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The police in Karnataka’s Kodagu district have arrested a youth for posting derogatory messages about goddess Cauvery and women through a fake account on Facebook.
The derogatory messages, which were posted through an account created in the name of Mohmmed Ashfak, caused communal tensions in the area. Hindutva groups took up the issue and started targeting Mohammed Ashfak.
According to a Karnataka-based activist, Mohammed Irshad, the Hindutva groups had made the photo of Mohammed Ashfak viral on social media and had demanded his arrest. Ashfak even received many threat calls. When he went to file a complaint on the matter, the police had initially made him stay at the local station for investigation.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) even gave bandh calls in the district which is considered the bastion of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Hindutva outfits.
However, when the local police arrested Divin Devaiah, a resident of Kedamulluru in Virajpet taluk in Kodagu district, the Hindutva outfits withdrew their bandh call.
Devaiha, through his fake account as Mohammed Ashfak, posted defamatory and insulting messages on goddess Cuavery, which the local Kodava community worship as their deity. He had also targeted women belonging to the Kodava community in his derogatory posts.
According to IANS, the Police had to take the help of the Mumbai Police to crack the case. The Mumbai Police had got the inputs from California City about the fake FB account and passed on the inputs to local police. After getting leads from the Mumbai police, the local police arrested Devaiha.
After the truth about the fake account of Ashfak came out, locals lamented at the misuse of social media.
“This is an unfortunate incident which should not have taken place. Those who misuse social media handles must think twice, the incident of arrest must be a lesson for everyone,” said members from the Federation of Kodava Community.
Superintendent of Police Kodagu district M A Aiyappa also lamented the misuse of the social media. He said the further investigation in the case is underway.
This is the second time when a Hindu youth in Karnataka has been arrested for posting objection remarks on social media through fake account of Muslim name. In March this year, Siddarooda Shrikanth had been arrested for making hate speeches against Hindus posing as Mushtaq Ali.
