Mewar, Jan 28: The Chittorgarh police in Rajasthan lodged an FIR against a Mewar University student from Jammu and Kashmir and arrested him after he allegedly made an objectionable post on social media.
According to Gangrar police station SHO Jayesh Patidar, BPharm student Sohrab Qayoom, 21, had posted some objectionable comments as a story on Instagram. An FIR was subsequently lodged at the station, on the complaint of a local resident, on January 25 under IPC sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).
Qayoom is currently under judicial custody, SHO Patidar said.
Mewar University Director Harish Gurnani said ‘all the possible punishments have been initiated’ against Qayoom and that he has been expelled by the university.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association (JKSA) ‘vehemently condemned’ Qayoom’s actions while also requesting leniency ‘considering his immaturity and lack of political awareness.’
In a statement, JKSA national convenor Nasir Khuehami said, ‘Such behavior is not only unacceptable but also undermines the principles of coexistence in our diverse and democratic nation. While not seeking to justify his actions, the association believes that the charges brought against him could have severe consequences for his academic and future prospects. The association unequivocally condemns the student’s actions and urges all Kashmiri students to refrain from writing provocative content on social media that could add fuel to the fire.’
The association said Qayoom, a student from J&K’s Rajouri area, is enrolled at Mewar University under the Indian Army’s Special Scholarship Scheme, which was launched as part of Operation Sadbhavana for providing educational opportunities to underprivileged students.
In letters to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Khuehami has requested that Qayoom’s case be considered on ‘humanitarian grounds. The charges and FIR against him could ruin his future, and the association believes that providing an opportunity for rehabilitation is essential for the youth’s growth and development’, requesting that the FIR against Qayoom be dropped.
Khuehami said Qayoom’s actions ‘may have been driven by immaturity rather than malice, and the association believes in the possibility of reform and redemption. The impact of these charges on his academic and future career prospects cannot be understated, and there is fear it may result in irreversible damage to his life.’
‘While not justifying Qayoom’s actions, the association emphasises that there is no place for such behaviour in a democratic country and civilised society. It advocates for a fair and just approach that does not lead to the assassination of his career,’ he said.–(The Indian Express)
