India goes on an arrest spree in Kashmir, detaining Kashmiris for use of social media

On 9th December, India arrested around 12 Kashmiris for allegedly uploading provocative content on social media.

Around 4 Kashmiris were arrested from Kashmir’s Islamabad district, 2 from Budgam district, 2 from Ganderbal district, 1 from Baramulla district, and about 3 civilians from Shopian, Kulgam, and Pulwama districts. 

The families of 3 of the detainees, speaking to us on the condition of anonymity, stated that their family members were arrested for condemning the derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made by an extremist Hindu student studying in a university in Kashmir. 

The social media users had demanded strict governmental action against him for hurting the sensibilities of the Kashmiri Muslim population by sharing abusive remarks against the Prophet.

The detained social media users had criticized the state for cracking down on Kashmiri Muslim students for expressing their dissent.

Though the police later booked the aforementioned Hindu student for hurting religious sentiments of the Muslims of the valley, the police was more focused on repressing those peacefully protesting against the right-wing extremist Hindu’s abusive remarks.