Intelligence department blames social media for fanning communal tension in Maharashtra

• Intelligence Dept. asks field units to 'police' social media
• Social media is new form to trigger disputes between different communities by objectionable, derogatory posts

By Dheeraj Fartode

State Intelligence Department (SID) has sounded warning to State police and its various agencies about misuse of social media to create communal tension and disturb peace in the State on December 6. The warning assumes significance in view of fast changing political equations in the State, and this volatility could be exploited to fan communal tension. Social media has emerged as a big culprit in fanning tension in State, hence SID has asked field units to be on their toes. Highlighting that about 492 cases were registered in the State in about last 10 months due to derogatory remarks posted on social media, the SID has advised police personnel to take adequate precautionary measures. 

Since winter session of Maharashtra Legislature is commencing at Nagpur from December 8, mischief mongers are likely to deliberately create tension by provoking gullible followed by appealing to their religious sentiments using misleading propaganda.  

Social media

According to circular of SID accessed by The Hitavada, it is mentioned that 125 cases were registered in the State due to derogatory remarks for hurting sentiments of Hindus. After the remarks, 182 reactions occurred in the State and cops had a tough time managing those situations. This in turn led to registration of 271 cases, that police are now investigating.

The State police also registered 37 cases that relates to hurting sentiments of Buddhists in the State and 290 reactions were reported as consequences of it. And 96 cases were registered after these reactions occurred in different parts. The SID report further stated that 76 cases got registered in the State for hurting sentiments of Muslims and 38 reactions were reported. 

Taking cognisance of the derogatory marks and after studying new political scenario in the state, the SID has cautioned police units to be more vigilant and active before December 6. Circulation of derogatory images and messages on social media could lead to communal tension in the State, it feared. Hence, every units should must take preventive actions against circulation of such message/images on-line. Strict watch must be kept in city and fast action be taken to prevent mass circulation of such mischievous postings as any lapse could prove costly, as violence is known to occur very fast when religion is involved, said the sources. 

An Intelligence officer said that this is first time when SID has taken contingence of nuisance of social media, and has specifically issued warning for December 6. On the day in 1992, disputed structure at Ayodhya was razed while Dr Ambedkar's death anniversary also falls on same date. Though of late police do not have that much worry as it used to in the immediate aftermath of pulling down of structure in Ayodhya. But the recent incident in Marathwada where a dalit family was brutally murdered has increased worries among the intelligence department. The delay in apprehending of culprits has created resentment about police machinery and social media is abuzz with postings about the same. The intelligence department has specific inputs about some organisations planning to create trouble and against this backdrop it asked field personnel to be extra alert.

Emergence of MIM worries intel 

Electoral success by MIM in Maharashtra and alarming instances of radical elements within community has increased worries of police machinery in the state. According to intelligence sources, they are keeping a close watch on activities of MIM and its call to adopt aggressive stance over Babri issue and to name every new mosque after Babri. The open advocacy of confrontationist approach by MIM leaders during electoral campaign and thereafter, has been taken seriously by the intelligence machinery which has advised entire state police force be remain extra cautious and foil any attempt to vitiate communal harmony and create hatred between two communities.