Police arrest Indian man for calling his village ‘Mini Pakistan’

A man, recognized as Afsar Khan was arrested by police after he referred to his village as “mini Pakistan”.

According to details, 32-year-old was working in Oman at an oilfield and had returned to his hometown during the lockdown earlier this year.

Afsar shared a picture highlighting himself on Facebook and wrote, “See Amirati - a Mini Pakistan”.

Police have also registered a case against  Mr Khan under Section 153 of the Indian Penal Code (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and Section 66 of the Information Technology Act.

During cross-examination, Afsar told the police that the caption to his post was a “casual remark”.

Afsar added that as his village has a Muslim-dominated majority people from neighbouring villages used to call it “mini Pakistan”.

Meanwhile, police are investigating the matter. They are also looking into the details of the social media users who have liked Afsar’s post on the platform. 

Afsar’s passport has been seized and the police have requested the passport office to cancel his travel documents, he added.

According to the Police Officer, “The post of the accused, Afsar Khan had a comment which could spark communal disruption. He had referred to the ‘Amirati as Mini Pakistan’. We have booked him under the IT Act."

Madhya Pradesh is the second-largest state in central India by area and the fifth largest state by population with over 72 million residents.