The Crime Branch has registered an offence and is investigating the case. The incident came to light after a Twitter handle posted screenshots of the posts on Instagram that were hurting religious sentiments and tagged the Director General of Police (DGP), Superintendent of Police (SP) North Goa and Superintendent of Police (SP) South Goa.
SP North Goa, in his reply to the post said that FIR under Section 153-A to be read with Section 34 IPC and Section 67 of IT Act registered by Crime Branch, Goa Police and investigation has been taken up.
Section 153-A of IPC deals with offences related to hurting religious sentiments and is liable to be punished with imprisonment, which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine. Section 67 of IT Act is applicable for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.
In this case, the students allegedly hurt religious sentiments, by posting obscene messages regarding deities of the majority community.
It is extremely unfortunate that these two girls (most probably minors), will now have criminal charges on them at such a young age. They surely aren’t aware of the implications of their act.
Considering that they are still very young and they don’t have any criminal background, the police should handle the case sensitively by involving the parents, school and organisations like the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
These two accused girls have fallen victims to the overwhelming atmosphere of hate on social media that has gripped the nation. This is the damage our politicians are doing to the society for their electoral gains. They have hurt our past, now damaging our present and aiming at finishing our future.
Hate speech is continuing on the rise, despite the adoption of harsh restrictions. Social media platforms make it easier to share information at the same time; people are subjected to misinformation and hostile and divisive content being transmitted through the news channels, mostly owing allegiance to the ruling party.
In India, lynch mobs and other types of communal violence, in many cases originating with rumours on WhatsApp groups, have been on the rise since 2014. Today, politicians and mainstream news channels have turned social media into a hub of harmful and vicious debates, and around two billion people utilise social media platforms to communicate and connect with one another by creating and sharing content.
The slow poisoning caused by hate speeches on television channels and social media is turning our youth into radicals. Radicalisation happens, when someone starts to believe or support extreme views, and in some cases, then participates in terrorist groups or acts.
This can be motivated by a range of factors, including ideologies, religious beliefs, political beliefs and prejudices against particular groups of people.
Adolescents are most vulnerable to a range of risks as they may be exposed to new influences and potentially risky behaviours, influence from peers, influence from older people or the internet as they may begin to explore ideas and issues around their identity.
Radicalisation can be difficult to spot, but signs that could indicate a child is being radicalised include a change in behaviour, changing their circle of friends, isolating themselves from family and friends, unwillingness or inability to discuss their views, a sudden disrespectful attitude towards others, increased levels of anger, increased secretiveness or incite violence by writing or creating artwork promoting violent extremist messages.
Sometimes children don’t realise that their beliefs have been shaped by others whom they consider very close to them. It is very important that the schools and parents monitor the content being consumed online by their students and wards.
Although, with the bombardment of information from multiple sources online is very difficult to regulate, yet, it is important that the teachers and parents continuously monitor the content and counsel them.
The politicians won’t change their ways because they have found it an easy way of coming to power and remain in power by continuously pitting communities against each other, irrespective of their ideologies. It is we who have to protect them.
It is time now for the Government to enact law to be proactive to stop spreading such hate mongering, if it wants to prevent complete degradation of the country.
