A mob pelted stones at Udayagiri police station in Mysuru on February 10, Monday night, over a derogatory social media post, prompting police to resort to tear gas and lathi charge to disperse the crowd. The person accused of uploading the post has been arrested.
According to police, the controversy erupted over an image featuring morphed semi-nude images of MP Rahul Gandhi, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, with Arabic script written on their bodies and “3 Idiots” written on top of the image.
Police Commissioner Seema Latkar confirmed the arrest, stating that the post was found to be derogatory, and a case had been registered. The accused is Suresh, a resident of Kalyangiri.
Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R Hitendra, who visited the spot, said a preliminary inquiry indicated that the mob had gathered outside the police station following rumours that the accused might be released. Seven police personnel sustained minor injuries and were treated as outpatients, he added.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, addressing the media in Bengaluru, said the post was offensive to a particular community. "Around 200 people gathered at the police station, demanding that the accused be handed over to them. When the police refused, they began pelting stones. The police fired tear gas shells, and the situation is now under control," he said.
