New Delhi: The Delhi Police have charged suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma, Naveen Jindal, journalist Saba Naqvi, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and priest Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati in two cases involving derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammed and alleged social media hate.
Sharma was charged with making insulting remarks during a TV debate last month, and a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against him on Thursday. According to a Delhi Police officer, Jindal, Naqvi, Owaisi, Saraswati, and others were named in a separate FIR after an examination of their “controversial statements” on social media.
The comments sparked a diplomatic spat, with countries in West and Southeast Asia condemning them. Following great outrage, the BJP withdrew Sharma as a spokesperson and expelled Jindal. Kuwait, Qatar, and Iran have all summoned Indian embassies to express their displeasure with the statements.
The two instances are being investigated by the Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit. It has begun contacting Twitter, Facebook, and other social media intermediaries for information about the “objectionable messages” that the people named in the second instance sent, which were primarily in response to Sharma’s remarks.
Some warnings have been given to social media intermediaries, according to Deputy Police Commissioner KPS Malhotra. He further stated that the investigation team is in the process of delivering more warnings to other social media businesses in order to obtain more information. According to Malhotra, as the investigation continues, more identities may be added to the FIRs.
“Multiple FIRs were filed against people of various religions. “We’ll look into the responsibilities of various social media entities in spreading misleading and incorrect information in order to cause disturbance in cyberspace and in the real world…compromise the social fabric,” Malhotra added.
The detectives said they’ll look into previous social media posts that could “incite communal hatred” and “disturb peace and tranquilly in cyberspace and society.”