Uttarakhand police book 400 for rioting over social media post on Prophet Muhammad

In a major incident in Uttarakhand, the police have booked 400 unidentified people for rioting, promoting enmity, and attacking police personnel during a protest in Dehradun. The protest erupted over a social media post that was considered derogatory towards Prophet Muhammad. The incident took place on Monday evening in Chowki Bazar, a busy area of the city.

According to the police, despite being informed that action had already been taken against the person responsible for the post, a large crowd gathered in the area. They indulged in violent behavior, chanted religious slogans, and attacked the police force present to control the situation. Five policemen sustained injuries during the unrest, and the police had to use force to disperse the crowd.

The FIR was registered at Patel Nagar police station under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These include sections for voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter a public servant, wrongful restraint, offences by unlawful assembly, rioting, promoting enmity, and deliberate acts intended to wound religious feelings. The complaint was filed by ISBT station in-charge sub-inspector Harsh Arora.

The police confirmed that the objectionable post was promptly removed from Instagram after the incident. Gulshan Rathore, a 19-year-old from Dehradun, was arrested for posting the derogatory comment online. He has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), including those dealing with deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings.

Chief minister calls it a deliberate conspiracy

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the protest as a “deliberate conspiracy to create unrest during festivals.” He accused groups opposed to a strong and united India of instigating the violence. Speaking on the incident, he said, “Anarchy will not be tolerated in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, and strict action will be taken against such elements.” He also warned that anyone causing damage to public or private property would face punishment under the state’s new anti-riot law.

Police officials said the protesters ignored repeated warnings that the accused had already been arrested. Despite this, the crowd gathered in Chowki Bazar and created a chaotic situation. Officers reported that the mob indulged in hooliganism, raising slogans and physically assaulting the police. Efforts are ongoing to identify the remaining participants in the riot.

Patel Nagar SHO Chandrabhan Singh explained that the arrested accused, Gulshan Rathore, had posted the offensive content on Instagram. Rathore was booked under sections related to promoting enmity, deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings, and other serious offences. His arrest came after a detailed investigation by local police and cooperation with social media authorities.

Authorities have emphasized that social media posts capable of provoking communal unrest are being closely monitored. The police also highlighted the importance of public awareness and responsibility while using online platforms. They said immediate action against the accused helped prevent further escalation, though the large turnout of protesters still led to clashes with law enforcement.

The Chief Minister reiterated that Uttarakhand would remain vigilant during major festivals. He urged citizens to celebrate peacefully and avoid taking the law into their hands. The state government has also announced that it will ensure strict enforcement of laws against rioting, property damage, and actions that could disturb public order.

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Police have appealed to the public not to spread inflammatory messages on social media. They have also requested witnesses to help identify those involved in the unrest. Authorities said that the investigation is continuing and that all responsible individuals will face legal action.

Local community leaders have condemned the incident and called for calm. They stressed that differences should be resolved peacefully and that violence is not a solution. Many citizens appreciated the police response for preventing a larger-scale conflict in the crowded Chowki Bazar area.

The incident has also highlighted the growing concerns about misuse of social media to incite communal tensions. Experts say that with the increasing penetration of online platforms, such incidents are likely to become more frequent unless preventive measures are taken. The authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensure safety and security for everyone during festival seasons.

In conclusion, the Uttarakhand Police’s swift action in booking 400 people and arresting the accused has sent a strong message against rioting and online provocations. With strict laws and active monitoring, the state government aims to prevent such incidents in the future and maintain peace in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.