Pune: Video Of 'Pakistan Zindabad' Slogans During PFI Protest Goes Viral, BJP Seeks Stern Action

The Pune police said they are looking into the matter of the video which is purportedly from the recent agitation by the PFI.

New Delhi: A video has surfaced on social media in which Popular Front of India (PFI) protestors are allegedly raising "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans during an agitation, prompting BJP leaders in Maharashtra to demand strong action against the slogan shouters. The Pune police have said that they are looking into the matter, news agency PTI reported. 

The PFI organised a protest outside the district collector's office in Pune, on Friday during which 40 protesters were arrested. The protest was conducted to denounce the recent nationwide raids on the organisation and the arresting its activists.

The purported video of "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans being raised when the protesters were taken into custody and made to sit in a police vehicle, went viral on social media. The police said that they are investigating the matter.

"We have already registered a case against the PFI members for unlawful assembly and we are looking into the slogans matter," Sagar Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police said, as per PTI. 

Taking to Twitter, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nitesh Rane said those who raised pro-Pakistan slogans should remember that they will not be spared. He also demanded a ban on the PFI.

"To all those shouting Pakistan Zindabad slogans in support of PFI in Pune. Chun chun ke marenge.. Itna yaad rakana!!! #BanPfi," he tweeted.

Another BJP MLA Ram Satpute sought strict action against those who raised slogans and said the Pune police should arrest them, according to PTI.

An offence has been registered against 60 protesters at the Bundgarden police station for organising the agitation without permission, unlawful assembly and blocking the road, another official said.

This comes after a massive crackdown on the PFI, multi-agency teams spearheaded by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had, on Thursday, arrested 106 leaders and activists of the radical Islamic outfit in near-simultaneous raids in 15 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country.

Maharashtra and Karnataka accounted for 20 arrests each, Tamil Nadu (10), Assam (9), Uttar Pradesh (8), Andhra Pradesh (5), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puducherry and Delhi (3 each) and Rajasthan (2).

(With PTI inputs)