Mumbai: Youtuber Vikas Fhatak Alias 'Hindustani Bhau' Arrested For Allegedly Instigating Students' Protest Over Offline Exams

Police say Hindustani Bhau and some others were responsible for the gathering of the students, the YouTuber had asked the students to take part in the protest through his social media accounts.

New Delhi: The Dharavi Police have arrested Social Media influencer Vikas Fhatak, also known as 'Hindustani Bhau' for instigating students to protest over their demand for online exams for classes 10th & 12th.

An FIR was registered against Fhatak & among others. 'Hindustani Bhau', had uploaded a video of him on Instagram allegedly instigating students. FIR registered under multiple sections of IPC (including that for rioting), Maharashtra Police Act, Disaster Management Act and Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act.

Students on Monday staged protests in Mumbai and Nagpur demanding that offline exams for classes X to XII be cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic, while the Maharashtra government strongly defended the decision, saying it has been taken after careful consideration.

An official said the YouTuber, identified as 'Hindustani Bhau' alias Vikas Phatak, will have to face the law as prima facie it appears he had prodded students to assemble at Ashok Mill Naka in Dharavi, where he was also present.

The police official said Hindustani Bhau and some others were responsible for the gathering of the students.  As per the preliminary investigation, the YouTuber had asked the students to take part in the protest through his social media accounts.

Hundreds of students protested near the residence of Maharashtra school education minister Varsha Gaikwad in Mumbai seeking cancellation of offline exams for classes X to XII, leading to baton charge by police. In Nagpur, agitating students damaged two buses, police said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the step has been taken after careful consideration stating steps like maintaining social distancing, disinfecting schools, wearing masks and checking whether a double dose of vaccine has been administered, will be taken while conducting the exams. The health minister appealed to the protesting students to cooperate with the government in conducting in-person exams.

Dharavi Police also arrested one more accused, Iqrar Khan Vakhar Khan. FIR under IPC Sec 353, 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from duty), 427, 109, 114(Abettor present when offence committed), 143(unlawful assembly), 145, 146 (rioting), 149, 188, 269, 270.