Viral video sparks anger on social media
Bengaluru: A video showing a man riding pillion on a bike wearing a T-shirt with a distorted Indian map of the Kashmir region and a flag resembling that of the ‘Azad Kashmir movement’ has sparked outrage online. The clip, recorded by a commuter on the city’s crowded streets, is now widely circulating on social media platforms.
The T-shirt displayed the entire Kashmir region, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), in a print that many users described as “anti-national.” The imagery resembled the flag used by the so-called ‘Azad Kashmir’ separatist movement, triggering demands for immediate action against the man.
Incident captured by commuter
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In the viral video, the man is seen sitting on the passenger seat of a two-wheeler, while the commuter in a nearby car records the T-shirt and the vehicle’s registration plate. The clear capture of the bike’s number has enabled online users to pull up vehicle details, though privacy filters have hidden the owner’s full name. Some netizens speculated that the owner could be “Sudeep Shrestha,” though authorities have not confirmed the identity.
Police response under scrutiny
As calls for strict action mounted on social media, Bengaluru Traffic Police responded to one of the tweets. However, the reply, directing users to report the matter on the ASTraM App for traffic violations, drew criticism for being inadequate.
The response read: “We appreciate you for letting us know about it. To report the traffic-related violations, you can use the ASTraM App portal, which facilitates the public to enforce the traffic violations.”
Users expressed disappointment that the issue was being treated as a traffic violation rather than an alleged anti-national act.
Netizens demand strict action
Several users condemned the incident, calling for the immediate arrest of the man.
- One user asked: “The vehicle number is clearly visible. Will these anti-national elements be caught and punished?”
- Another alleged: “They are core Congress vote bank… cannot be touched or shaken.”
- A third wrote: “Such things are possible and expected when it’s a Congress-governed state.”
The comments reflect both public anger at the symbolism on the T-shirt and a political spin being given to the incident.
Larger concerns
The controversy adds to growing instances where separatist or pro-Pakistan symbols surface in public spaces or online, sparking debates on security and vigilance. While the authenticity and intent behind wearing such attire remain under investigation, netizens argue that such cases must be treated with seriousness, given their potential to incite unrest.
Conclusion
With the video gaining momentum across platforms, pressure is mounting on Bengaluru police to trace the biker and take appropriate action. For now, the matter continues to stir strong reactions, both on grounds of national integrity and state accountability.