An IPS officer from Karnataka is facing condemnation on social media after he publicly threatened a journalist for sharing the photo of a Kashmiri youth after he was attacked in Bengaluru.
This was after journalist Fahad Shah shared a photo of a Kashmiri youth, identified as Absar Zahoor Dhar, who was beaten by goons mercilessly in Bengaluru. While sharing the photo, Shah wrote, “Absar Zahoor Dhar, 24-yr-old Kashmiri student has been beaten up in Bengaluru. Dhar, who funds his studies by modelling, says “They could have killed me… I’m living in fear, not attending college as the assailants roam free in front of my house as if nothing happened.”
His post went viral evoking angry reactions from netizens. But this did not go down well with IPS officer Abdul Ahad, who wrote using menacing language, “Mr Fahad Shah Ur discussing a subject of investigation in public domain which is an offence,4 culprits have been arrested and 107 CrPC proceedings on…Ur warned against this illegal behaviour.”
Mr Fahad Shah Ur discussing a subject of investigation in public domain which is an offence,4 culprits have been arrested and 107 CrPC proceedings on…Ur warned against this illegal behaviour.
— Abdul Ahad IPS (@dcpwhitefield) March 24, 2019
When the journalist replied that he wasn’t indulging in any unlawful act by sharing a news, which was already in public domain, the IPS officer replied by using even more threatening tone. He wrote, “U will be asked to explain…u can give Ur clarification to the investigating officer..as a law abiding citizen IAM sure u will explain Ur stand to the satisfaction of investigating officer…and make sure that Ur not instigating people….it’s a serious offence.”
U will be asked to explain…u can give Ur clarification to the investigating officer..as a law abiding citizen IAM sure u will explain Ur stand to the satisfaction of investigating officer…and make sure that Ur not instigating people….it's a serious offence
— Abdul Ahad IPS (@dcpwhitefield) March 24, 2019
Ahad faced condemnation from social media users and even politicians for threatening a journalist. Human rights group Amnesty India wrote, “Dear @dcpwhitefield, talking about an assault is not a crime. But police threats to arrest and silence a journalist is a violation of the right to free expression.@pzfahad.”
Dear @dcpwhitefield, talking about an assault is not a crime. But police threats to arrest and silence a journalist is a violation of the right to free expression.@pzfahad https://t.co/XpjGJ0pRTc
— Amnesty India (@AIIndia) March 25, 2019
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted, “Muhtaram,Aali Janab ,Your Excellency of course you can arrest,jail you have all the Taqaat remember you are bound by Constitution of INDIA ,let me refresh your memory Freedom of Expression is still a Fundamental Right which NO DCP can take it from any Indian Samjha.”
Muhtaram,Aali Janab ,Your Excellency of course you can arrest,jail you have all the Taqaat remember you are bound by Constitution of INDIA ,let me refresh your memory Freedom of Expression is still a Fundamental Right which NO DCP can take it from any Indian Samjha
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) March 25, 2019
Similar reactions poured in from other social media users. Kashmiris have faced attacks across India in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack that killed 45 CRPF soldiers. Although, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged his supporters to not target Kashmiris living in other parts of India, his comments were termed as a ‘too little too late’ exercise.
