Karnataka: WhatsApp Post On Pakistan's Republic Day Leads To Woman's Arrest

A young woman was arrested in Karnataka for allegedly uploading a WhatsApp status on the occasion of Pakistan's Republic Day on March 23. As per reports, the woman wrote on the instant messaging platform, "May God bless every nation with peace, unity and harmony."

The arrested woman was identified as 25-year-old Kuthma Sheikh, who hails from the Mudhol city of the southern Indian state. She is a student at a local madrassa and was reportedly taken into one-day police custody after an activist named Arun Kumar Bhajantri filed a complaint following her alleged status.

A case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), relating to promoting enmity between communities. A probe in the matter is underway.

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According to Indian Express, a police officer said Sheikh was arrested last week, a day after Pakistan - neighbouring country with which India does not share friendly relations - marked its Republic Day. She was reportedly released a day later on bail, with a cop quoted saying that she was arrested for "law and order" purposes.

Bhajantri's complaint reportedly stated that Sheikh's WhatsApp status was promoting enmity between two communities, as per reports. He allegedly even asked for the woman to be charged with treason.

"If we hadn't moved quickly enough, it could have resulted in rioting, protests, and counter-protests," police were quoted saying on their arrest of Sheikh, as reported by Hindustan Times. The incident comes amid brewing tensions in the state of Karnataka, owing to the hijab row, which has driven a rift between Hindu and Muslim students at the campus level. Read more here.

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Earlier this month, reports emerged of a college student allegedly sending a Pakistani flag emoji on a WhatsApp chat, causing controversy. The group chat was discussing the ongoing hijab row, putting opinions on whether or not Muslim girls should be allowed to wear their religious headscarves during class, when the said emojis were sent. Reports suggested students of the class demanded that the girl be charged with sedition.

Last year, a teacher in Rajasthan was arrested for allegedly celebrating Pakistan's win against India in a T20 match. Read here.