HINDU LEADER’S SON HELD FOR SPREADING HATE MESSAGES ONLINE

PATIALA: Police have arrested Sachin Goyal, 35, son of Rashtriya Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Seva Dal president, for hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity between groups on the grounds of religion through messages posted on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

He had started indulging in this illegal activity around a month ago, police say.

SSP Vikramjeet Duggal said the accused wanted to get police security by causing animosity, hatred and disturbing peace between communities.

“Goyal contacted a foreigner through social media and asked for the one-time password of a foreign mobile number in order to operate WhatsApp of that number on his mobile phone. Through that particular account, he posted photos of leaders of various Hindu religions, himself and senior police officers,” the SSP said. “The real motive Goyal was to get police protection for himself by spreading such propaganda. He cited these in his request for protection,” Duggal said, adding Goyal had forged all such posts and photos.

He has been booked under Sections 295A (hurting religious sentiments), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion), 419 (cheating by personation), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 505 (statements conducive to public mischief) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and other Sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act.

AGRA: Vice president of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) Jayant Chaudhary on Wednesday urged farmers to remain united as this was a testing time for them. Addressing the farmers in Kosi Kalan town of Mathura district, he warned that there was nothing in their favour in the three farm laws recently passed by the central government.

“The farmers sitting at the border of Delhi are our brothers and are giving up their lives for a cause. We need to encourage them as it is a decisive time because farmers are fighting for their existence,” said Jayant.

“Nobody is able to explain what is good in these farm laws, as they are made for a selected few and not for farmers. The government is eyeing the land of farmers through these farm laws, but farmers will not allow this to happen,” he said.

“The government at the centre is targeting youths and anyone speaking in favour of farmers is placed behind bars. Farmers should not be divided on the basis of religion, caste or community as this would weaken the agitation,” said RLD leader.