In UP’s Kanpur, ‘objectionable’ WhatsApp post by 25-year-old sparks tension between two sects

Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kanpur, Anjali Vishwakarma, said the accused has been arrested in the case. A case has been registered against him on charges of allegedly hurting religious sentiments and other charges, said Ravindra Pratap Singh, Station House Officer, Philkhana police station.

According to police, they received information on Sunday afternoon that a man had made objectionable remarks about the leaders of a sect on his WhatsApp status message.

The message went viral and sparked strong reactions. Soon after, police said a group of people gathered on the road and marched to the man’s house, staging a protest and demanding strict action against him. They even tried to break open the door. Minutes later, members of the other sect also arrived, leading to a heated exchange between the two groups.

A police team rushed to the spot and managed to pacify both groups, persuading them to disperse. The man was taken into custody and brought to the Philkhana police station.

Police denied that any violence occurred in the area.

On Monday, police conducted a flag march in the mixed-population area. Heavy force has been deployed, and regular patrolling is being carried out to maintain peace.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kanpur, Prashant Kumar, said that religious leaders from both communities have appealed to the public to maintain peace, emphasising that the incident was the result of a youth’s immaturity.

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