Karnataka Woman Arrested After Complaint Over WhatsApp Status On Pakistan's Republic Day

Kuthma Sheikh was arrested after Arun Kumar Bhajantri, an activist, filed a complaint with the Mudhol Police Station over her WhatsApp status on Pakistan's Republic Day.

Representative Photo: Getty Images

New Delhi: A 25-year-old woman in Karnataka's Bagalkot district was arrested following a complaint about her Whatsapp status on Pakistan's Republic Day.

According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the woman, identified as Kuthma Sheikh, is from Mudhol city and is a student at a neighbouring madrasa.

The report cites authorities as saying that she wrote in Urdu on her WhatsApp status on March 23, Pakistan's Republic Day, “Allah Har Mulk me Ittihaad…Aman...Sukoon…Ata Farma Maula."

It translates to "May Allah bless every nation with peace, unity, and harmony." 

Kuthma Sheikh was arrested after Arun Kumar Bhajantri, an activist, filed a complaint with the Mudhol Police Station. 

In his police report, Arun claimed the woman was aiming to stoke tensions and demanded that she be charged with treason, HT reported.

The police charged Kuthma Sheikh under Indian Penal Code Sections 153(A) (inciting hatred between groups based on religion, race, or other characteristics) and 505(2) (inciting hatred between groups based on religion, race, or other factors) (making statements that promote hostility between groups).

As per the police, she was detained to maintain peace and order. "Her status might be interpreted as a celebration of Pakistan's Republic Day," HT quoted a police official, as saying. "If we hadn't moved quickly enough, it could have resulted in rioting, protests, and counter-protests," the official added.

On the other hand, Bheemanagouda Paragonda, an Athani-based lawyer and Right to Information activist, opined that "the police should use prudence and judgment".

He stated that the accusations would not stand up in court and police's knee-jerk reactions only appear to be harassing innocent people, as per the HT report.

It was informed that Kuthma Sheikh was taken into custody on March 24, and was given bail the next day.