Pune Police Register Case Against Students for Naxal Commander Song Performance
The Vishrantwadi police in Pune have formally registered a criminal case against two college students for allegedly playing and dancing to a song based on Hidma Madavi, the Naxalite commander who was eliminated by security forces last year. The incident occurred during a cultural program organized at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Government Hostel in Vishrantwadi on April 11.
Details of the Incident and Police Investigation
According to police officials, the two students, who are pursuing a BBA course at a college on Bund Garden Road and hail from Gadchiroli district, selected the controversial song for a dance performance. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IV) Chilumula Rajnikanth stated that seven other students joined them in dancing to the tune during the event. Rajnikanth emphasized that the police are actively investigating the matter, including checking the students' social media profiles and contacts to determine their motives for choosing this particular song.
Senior Inspector Mangesh Hande of Vishrantwadi police provided further context, noting that the cultural program was part of a series of events held from April 6 to 14 to commemorate the 135th birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Hande clarified that the function was not a public event but was strictly intended for hostel students. He also mentioned that some of the participating students were unaware of the song's content, believing it to be a tribal folk song.
Legal Charges and Broader Implications
The case was lodged by Police Constable Shabbir Baba Shaikh (31) under sections 197 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Section 197 pertains to making, publishing, or propagating claims that a specific group is disloyal to the Indian Constitution or sovereignty, while section 353 addresses spreading false information, rumors, or reports. The police complaint asserts that the act of performing to a song glorifying Hidma Madavi, the battalion commander of the People's Liberation Army killed in an operation in November 2025, could potentially threaten India's sovereignty, unity, and integrity by disseminating misleading and objectionable content.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about national integration and the influence of extremist ideologies in educational settings. The police's swift action underscores the seriousness with which such matters are treated, especially when they involve potential threats to constitutional values. The investigation continues as authorities delve deeper into the students' backgrounds and intentions, aiming to prevent any further spread of divisive material.
