UP cleric held for Palestine posts, doctor booked for anti-minority comments

Meanwhile, a doctor in Bareilly was also booked on Friday for allegedly making objectionable comments against Muslims on WhatsApp, in connection with the Israel-Palestine conflict. He has not been arrested yet.

“We have arrested Ansari and raids are on to trace the other accused,” said a senior police officer from Hamirpur.

According to police, Ansari, in a social media post, had said that he stood with Palestine. In another post, he allegedly called people to assemble at a mosque. “The accused also made some comments on social media which are banned and could lead to law and order issues,” the officer said.

Hamirpur Superintendent of Police Deeksha Sharma said security arrangements have been made to ensure peace in the area and raids were being conducted to trace Chowdhary.

Ansari was produced before a local court on Saturday, which sent him to judicial custody for 14 days.

In Bareilly, Dr Parmendra Maheshwari, working with a private hospital, was booked on Friday under IPC Sections 153-A (promoting enmity between two groups) and 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).

The Station House Officer, Kotwali police station (Bareilly), Dharmendra Singh, said a case was lodged against Maheshwari for allegedly making objectionable comments on social media against the Muslim community with reference to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

At a law and order review meeting on Thursday, Adityanath had ordered strict action against any “controversial statement” and “activity contrary to the views of the Government of India” on the conflict.

The Centre has adopted a nuanced position on the issue. In its first statement on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said there is a “universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law”, a phrase seen as aimed at Israel which is conducting aerial strikes in Gaza. But, it added that there is also a global responsibility to fight the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations — a strong signal of support to Israel.

While the clause, “international humanitarian law”, seeking to protect innocent civilians, is seen as also meant for Hamas, which killed civilians including women, children and the elderly, India reiterated its traditional position on resumption of “direct negotiations” towards establishing a “sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders, side by side at peace with Israel”.