A 19-year-old college student from Pune has been arrested by city police for allegedly posting a social media comment ending with “Pakistan Zindabad” on her Instagram account, amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
According to police, the comment was flagged during a routine review of social media activities in light of the ongoing military operations by Indian armed forces against Pakistan. An FIR was registered at Kondhwa police station by Constable Subhash Jarande, and the student was subsequently taken into custody on Friday.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajkumar Shinde confirmed the arrest and stated that further investigation is underway.
The student, a resident of Kausarbaug in Kondhwa and reportedly studying at a Pune-based college, has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 152: Acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India
- Section 196: Promoting enmity between different groups
- Section 197: Imputations or assertions prejudicial to national integration
- Section 299: Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings
- Section 352: Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace
- Section 353: Statements that cause public mischief
Police sources said the post was deemed objectionable in the current national security context and alleged it could provoke disharmony or unrest.
Meanwhile, members of the Sakal Hindu Samaj staged a protest outside the police station demanding strict action against the accused. They claimed such online comments undermine national interests and called for tighter monitoring of social media platforms.
The police have urged citizens to use discretion while posting on social media and to refrain from sharing content that could incite public disorder or be construed as anti-national.