New Delhi: Delhi Police is likely to take action against a student for displaying a poster that says ‘Kashmir Aazad Karo’ during a protest at St Stephen’s college against the violence in JNU and the new citizenship law.
This comes a day after a woman, in Mumbai, was booked in a similar case. She, too, was seen holding a banner written ‘Free Kashmir’ at a Gateway of India protest Monday.
Images of the student at St Stephen’s with the poster emerged on social media Wednesday, when several students were demonstrating in the college campus.
The Delhi Police has taken cognisance and is looking into the “veracity” of the image. The matter is being investigated by the cyber cell of the Delhi Police’s Special Cell.
If the image is found to be genuine, the police is expected to register a case under Sections 153 b of the IPC, which says that whoever, by words either spoken or written or by signs makes or publishes any imputation, assertions prejudicial to national-integration, or may cause disharmony, is liable for punishment.
“The picture on social media was brought to our notice and we have sent the same to the Delhi Police Special Cell for them to verify it,” a police source said.
“If found to be genuine, the legal department will help take appropriate action in this regard.”
ThePrint reached St Stephen’s principal John Verghese, who said he was not aware of the situation as he was not in Delhi. Verghese also declined to comment.
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The Mumbai case
Mumbai Police Tuesday filed an FIR against Mehak Mirza Prabhu, a Mumbai-based storyteller and performer, for holding a ‘Free Kashmir’ placard at the Gateway of India protest.
The FIR was filed at Colaba police station.
The poster also triggered outrage among BJP leaders, and social media users asked how such “separatist elements” can be tolerated in the city.
Targeting Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis wrote on Twitter, “Protest is for what exactly? Why slogans of “Free Kashmir”? How can we tolerate such separatist elements in Mumbai? ‘Free Kashmir’ slogans by Azadi gang at 2km from CMO? Uddhav ji are you going to tolerate this Free Kashmir Anti India campaign right under your nose???”
(Inputs from Kritika Sharma)
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we already have desh bhitar azadi sufficient
Do these Stephenians understand what CAA etc means.These acts are already there in all countries around India.If they want Azadi for Kashmir,then they should support Khalistanis as well.Let us go back to pre 1947 era & have 600+ different states.Cheers Stephenians.
What a cowardly state India has become. Afraid of posters.
and why should we not demand “desh-ke-bhitar azadi” for kashmiris too? dont they deserve “bhukmaari se & manuvaad se azadi”?
Let these tukde tukde gang members feel the full weight of the law. Cooling a couple of years behind the bars will let them realize the real meaning of “azadi.”