FIRs over Aurangzeb WhatsApp statuses reflects poorly on the police as hate speech faces no action

Displaying images of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, protests against the damage to the environment and calls for justice are a few among the series of instances in recent times that the police have deemed fit to file cases for “mischief” or “causing enmity”.

In contrast, there is inaction when it comes to open calls for genocide against Muslims and hate-mongering on social media and elsewhere, despite clear orders from the Supreme Court on the matter.

This seems to send the alarming message that the police are either unable to differentiate between the freedom of expression and open hate speech, or believe that opinions that contradict the ruling establishment must be shut down.

FIRs for WhatsApp statuses

Bharatiya Janata Party governments both at the Centre and the states are in a tearing hurry to obliterate Mughal history. In Maharashtra, the latest skirmish in India’s war on history involves Aurangzeb. The state seems to believe that it is a criminal offence to display an image of the Mughal emperor as a WhatsApp status.

Earlier in June, five underage boys were detained in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur after a WhatsApp display picture of Aurangzeb sparked a riot. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis fuelled the fire with a dog-whistle comment. “Where have these children of Aurangzeb suddenly come...

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