‘Journalist’ arrested for posting reel of women bathing at Mahakumbh

The Barabanki police has arrested two people for posting objectionable videos about women in the ongoing Mahakumbh and making objectionable comments about the gathering.

One of the arrested, Kamran Alvi, claims to be a journalist. On his Facebook account, he posted a reel of women bathing at the Mahakumbh with the caption ‘Sangam tat ka bhavya nazara’ (Grand visual from the Sangam). The focus is on one woman whose cleavage is visible. 

Alvi’s post wonders whether such displays should be permissible at places of religious significance. One of the comments made on the post asks Alvi to stay within his limits as a journalist. 

A case has been registered against him under section 299 (deliberate and malicious act, with intent to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the BNS Act for insulting religious symbols.

The second arrested is Abhishek Kumar who had posted objectionable comments about Hindu Gods and Goddesses on his social media page.

Objections to both posts were made by members of Hindu organisations which labelled them as deliberate provocations to disrupt social harmony.

Authorities have issued an alert, urging people to be cautious while sharing or commenting on social media content related to religious events.

City Kotwali Station House Officer, Alok Mani Tripathi said that social media was a powerful tool that must be used carefully and responsibly. He also said that the police, which was already monitoring social media posts, would amp up its efforts to nip any problems. The police have also asked for citizens to come forward if they notice any such objectionable content online.

It is notable that the UP police have deployed cyber warriors to constantly monitor and tackle misinformation and disinformation about the Mahakumbh.