Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Jul 6: Udupi police have registered two separate criminal cases against social media users for allegedly posting objectionable and provocative content aimed at disturbing communal harmony and public peace.

In the first case, a complaint was lodged by Sumanth Shettigar of Udupi after he noticed an image on Facebook on July 3 at around 10 am. The post allegedly featured a distorted image of Lord Parashurama with the face of Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar superimposed on the deity's image. The police said the content appeared to have been designed with the intention of hurting religious sentiments and disturbing social harmony. The image was allegedly shared through a Facebook account named "Guru P Udyavar."

Udupi police station (file photo)

Based on the complaint, the Udupi Town police registered a case.

In the second case, the police registered a complaint regarding a Facebook account named "TROLL JOLIGE." According to the complaint, an AI-generated image of Congress leader Uday Kumar Shetty Muniyal was uploaded on the account at around 12:30 am on July 1. The post allegedly contained indirect remarks intended to provoke hatred against a particular community, create enmity between different religious groups, incite communal tension, and disturb public peace in the secular country.

Following the complaint, the Karkala Town police registered a case.

The police stated that legal action will be taken against the accused in both cases in accordance with the law.

The district police also issued a warning that strict legal action will be initiated against anyone using social media platforms to spread hatred, communal disharmony, enmity, or content capable of disturbing public peace and order.