Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Jan 6: In recent days, objectionable posts promoting communal hatred and disturbing public harmony have been circulated on the social media platform Facebook regarding the cooperation extended by the District Muslim Friendship Committee during the Sri Krishna Math’s Paryaya festival in Udupi district.
Based on these posts, cases have been registered at the Karkala Rural police station against the individuals concerned for allegedly inciting hatred between religious communities and disturbing communal harmony.
According to police, on January 3, a Facebook account named ‘Sudeep Shetty Nitte’ posted a message questioning the participation of the Muslim Friendship Committee in the Hindu Paryaya procession.
The post allegedly stated that distributing sharbat and water bottles or performing programmes such as ‘Daf, Duf, Dum’ during the Paryaya procession would not promote Hindu–Muslim harmony and expressed mistrust towards such initiatives. Police stated that the content of the post was objectionable and capable of inciting hatred between religious groups and disrupting public harmony.
Following this, a case was registered as Crime No. 01/2026 under Sections 196(1), 353(2), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. A special team has been formed to trace and apprehend the accused.
In a separate but similar incident, another Facebook account named ‘Sudhakar Appu Nitte’ posted an identical message on the same day. The post allegedly carried content that promoted religious hatred and disturbed communal peace.
Based on this complaint, the Karkala Rural police registered Crime No. 02/2026 under Sections 196(1), 353(2), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The accused, Sudhakar (37), son of Narsu, a resident of Ambade Kallu, Nitte village and post, Karkala taluk, Udupi district, was taken into custody and produced before the court.
The court has ordered 15 days of judicial custody for the accused.
Police officials reiterated that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to spread communal hatred or disturb social harmony through social media platforms, especially during religious and cultural events that symbolise unity and peace.