Kolar, Karnataka, July 29: Two individuals, including a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, have been arrested for posting anti-Muslim content on Facebook in Kolar district. The inflammatory posts, uploaded on July 26, drew widespread condemnation for their derogatory remarks towards the Muslim community regarding tax payments, reported the Siyasat.
The controversial message read, “31st July is nearing. Please pay your taxes on time. After all, your taxes are someone’s subsidy.” This statement insinuated that taxes paid by citizens were being used as subsidies for Muslims, which led to significant outrage.
The two arrested individuals are Navin Jain, a BJP leader, and Chetan Bantia, a trader by profession. Both shared the posts on their respective Facebook pages, igniting anger within the Muslim community. In response, a large number of community members gathered at the Robertsonpet police station late on Friday night, demanding the immediate arrest and public apology from those responsible.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Panduranga arrived at the scene and engaged in discussions with community leaders to defuse the situation. The police assured the community of appropriate legal action against the accused, resulting in the arrests of Jain and Bantia.
This incident has further highlighted the delicate nature of communal relations in the region, emphasizing the need for responsible use of social media. The arrests have sparked a broader conversation about the role of political leaders and the impact of their actions on social harmony.
Local authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and harmony in the region, urging citizens to report any inflammatory content and to use social media responsibly. The arrests serve as a reminder of the legal consequences of spreading hate speech and the importance of fostering communal unity.
