Bengaluru: Karnataka's cyber crime police have detained a social media user known as @MumbaichaDon, whose real name is Vinit Naik, for a contentious post on Twitter targeting the Congress manifesto.
Naik, who uses the alias Bhiku Mhatre, inspired by a character from the 1998 movie "Satya," was apprehended for sharing an edited video of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah discussing reservations. He also tweeted criticisms of the Congress manifesto, claiming it discriminates against Hindus.
The now-deleted tweet read: "Throw this in face of Every Liberal & Every Piddi who was arguing that CONgress Menifesto doesn’t mention “Mu$£ims" specifically & it includes SC/STs Also. CONgress WANTS TO TAKE AWAY WEALTH FROM HINDUS & DISTRIBUTING TO MU$£IMS “ONLY” AS IT HATES HINDUS INCL. SC/STs."
The arrest followed a complaint by J Saravanan from Srirampura, who alleged that Naik's tweet aimed to incite communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims.
Consequently, an FIR was lodged against @MumbaichaDon under the IT Act and section 153A of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses the promotion of enmity between different religious groups.
Naik was detained in Ponda, South Goa, after sharing a screenshot of a legal notice from Twitter's legal team, which informed him of a court order from the Bengaluru City Magistrate concerning his account. Naik has denied any wrongdoing, accusing Congress of trying to silence him for speaking out.
The arrest has drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders. Union Minister Smriti Irani and BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya condemned the move, accusing the Congress government in Karnataka of suppressing dissent.
They have vowed to provide legal support to Naik, with BJP MP Tejasvi Surya stating they would contest the arrest in court and through public advocacy. Maharashtra BJP leader Vinod Tawde also voiced his concern over Naik's detention.