Udupi Police Arrest Two Youths for Social Media Post Mocking Interfaith Marriage
In a significant development, Manipal police have arrested two young individuals for allegedly creating and circulating a social media post that mocked an interfaith marriage and attempted to sow discord between religious communities. The police action underscores the growing vigilance against online content that threatens social harmony.
Suo Motu Case Registered After Provocative Post
The case was registered suo motu by the police after they received credible information about a sarcastic and highly provocative post that was circulated on May 16, 2025. This post specifically referred to a married Hindu woman from Karkala and a Muslim youth, with content that was found to promote enmity and hostility between different religious groups. The authorities deemed the post as a deliberate attempt to disrupt communal peace and harmony in the region.
Legal Action Under BNS Sections
In response to the inflammatory nature of the post, the police invoked BNS Sections 353(2) and 56. These sections pertain to acts that are intended to promote disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different religious, racial, or linguistic groups. The invocation of these sections highlights the seriousness with which the authorities are treating such offenses in the digital age.
Investigation and Arrest Details
During the course of the investigation, police utilized advanced metadata analysis techniques to trace and identify the Instagram accounts responsible for uploading the contentious post. This technological approach proved crucial in pinpointing the origins of the content.
The accused individuals were identified as:
- Nitesh K, aged 20, a resident of Bantwal taluk in Dakshina Kannada district. He was arrested on January 30, 2025.
- Hitesh A, aged 19, hailing from Siribagilu village in Kadaba taluk. He was apprehended on February 1, 2025, from Lalbagh.
As part of the ongoing probe, police have seized the mobile phones of both accused to gather further evidence and prevent any potential tampering with digital data. The arrests and seizures mark a decisive step in curbing the spread of hateful content online.
Broader Implications for Social Media Use
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences associated with posting content that can incite religious or communal tensions. It emphasizes the importance of responsible social media usage and the need for individuals to be mindful of the impact their online activities can have on societal harmony. The police's proactive stance in this case is likely to deter similar attempts in the future.
