In a bid to curb the spread of content that promotes disharmony, the Director General of Police (DGP) for Jammu and Kashmir, R R Swain, announced on Thursday the introduction of a new provision under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). This provision will criminalize the posting of any content on social media that instigates communal disharmony and threatens or terrorizes individuals.
DGP Swain emphasized that the law will specifically target messages, videos, and audio content shared by “terrorists, separatists, or anti-national elements.” Before the law is enacted, it will be made available for public scrutiny and feedback. Addressing reporters in Jammu, DGP Swain urged citizens to report any such content to the nearest police station. He stressed that not only those creating and posting such material but also individuals forwarding or sharing it will face legal consequences.
“People who post videos, including those aimed at harming the respect of the Prophet Muhammad, and those who forward it will be committing a crime,” Swain asserted. He further highlighted the disruptive impact of such content, citing its role in causing fear and leading to the closure of educational institutions.
DGP Swain also pointed out the involvement of Pakistani social media handles in generating and disseminating content that local elements share to create trouble and disrupt peace. He assured that the police would collaborate with the people of Kashmir to identify and isolate those responsible for spreading such content.As the region takes steps to address the challenges posed by divisive social media content, the implementation of this new law aims to maintain communal harmony and foster a secure environment for all residents of Jammu and Kashmir.