6 detained for ‘inciting’ sectarian unrest

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday said it has detained six persons in the Valley for allegedly inciting sectarian unrest through derogatory remarks.

The police said six miscreants had been charged under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and had been detained at Srinagar’s Central Jail for inciting sectarian unrest through derogatory remarks.

On Tuesday night, the police said it had taken cognisance of derogatory sectarian remarks made by certain individuals, who were currently being questioned at the police station.

While the police said appropriate legal action would be taken in accordance with the law, it said over the past few months, it had been observed that some individuals with malicious intentions had been engaging in sectarian slander on social media, attempting to create division.

“Legal action, following due process, will be taken against all offenders, and anyone sharing or forwarding such derogatory content against any sect will face strict action under the

full force of the law,” the police said.

Officials also warned the public that any individual found engaging in similar unlawful activities, including posting or sharing sectarian content with the intent to create division or disturb public harmony, would meet the same fate. “We are watching,” the police said.

Meanwhile, Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday expressed grave concern over attempts “to disrupt communal harmony and brotherhood in the region by stoking sectarian tensions”. It said recent derogatory remarks reportedly made by an individual were deeply hurtful and unacceptable.

“Such statements are not only against the spirit of Islamic teachings but also serve as a deliberate attempt to divide our community, which has a long-standing tradition of unity and mutual respect in J&K,” the MMU said.

The MMU said it strongly condemned “such actions and calls upon members of all sects to exercise wisdom, restraint, and mutual respect in their speech and actions”.

“We urge religious scholars and leaders across all sects to guide their followers towards preserving the sanctity of the faith and upholding the values of brotherhood,” it said, urging the authorities to take “immediate and appropriate action against those responsible for making such inflammatory remarks to prevent further disruption of peace and communal harmony in the region”.

The MMU also urged all to “refrain from posting, sharing, or amplifying content that promotes sectarian hatred or disrupts unity of Ummah”.