On 13 July 2024, YouTubers Abhi and Niyu posted on their official X handle asking their followers “If you could delete one thing from the planet today – what would it be?” The responses ranged from targeting the YouTuber duo to diseases to war and whatnot. One netizen who goes by the name Dr. Upadhya wrote, “Muslim community“
An FIR has been lodged against Dr Upadhya in Udupi.
Please be careful about what you write here. pic.twitter.com/zdM3RUa0vP
— Āyudhika (@Ayudhika1310) July 16, 2024
A criminal case was registered in Udipi against the said Dr. Upadhya, whose full name is Dr Keertan Upadhya. Dr. Upadhya works as a laparoscopic surgeon at a private hospital in Brahmavar. The case was filed, following “allegations of posting derogatory and divisive remarks against Islam and Muslims on social media”. This became a big controversy after screenshots of his comments began circulating online, leading to widespread outrage. Several netizens tagged authorities including the Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) and urged them to intervene.
As reported in Mangalorean, in response to the backlash, Sub-Inspector (Wireless) Ajmal Ibrahim EA, head of the Udupi District Police’s Social Media Monitoring Cell, filed a complaint against Dr. Upadhya. The complaint requested legal action against the surgeon for attempting to “foment religious hatred and disrupt communal harmony” through his provocative comments.
The police registered a case against Dr. Upadhya under sections 196 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code).
Dr. Upadhya later stated that his account had been hacked and subsequently deleted the controversial post. However, police sources confirmed that Dr. Upadhya did not file a formal complaint regarding the alleged hacking of his account.
Netizens wrote that Hindus had no freedom to write anything against the alleged minority community.
You cannot write anything against them, but they can read a book that recommends killing of yours in bulk, also conduct religious ceremonies every Friday to discuss the same. He he, welcome to secularism: twisted, prejudicial and unfair.
— 🇮🇳Rudhi🕉 (@RudhisundarB) July 16, 2024
They can shout freely what they want but we shouldn't. 😡🤬
— Biren Panchal (@BirenPanchal87) July 16, 2024
This is the state of Hindus who may have a “controversial” opinion on the alleged minority community. However, when Islamists go on the streets shouting “Sar Tan Se Juda“, there is no case filed for an “attempt to foment communal hatred and fan religious tension.” Just a day ago, the Ajmer court acquitted the Dargah cleric and others in the “sar tan se juda” slogan case citing a lack of evidence.
This seems to be yet another case of freedom of expression when it comes to Islamists whereas hate speech when it comes to Hindus.
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