Bengaluru: The co-founder and editor of online portal Postcard, Mahesh Vikram Hegde, was arrested on Friday (September 12, 2025) for allegedly posting a communally provocative message on Facebook, police officials confirmed.
The controversial post
According to police, Hegde had shared a message on September 9 under the portal’s name Postcard. The post allegedly referred to a Ganesh procession and suggested action against a religious place. Police said the content was likely to provoke communal tensions.
The statement attributed to the post read: “Honourable Chief Minister, try sending a bulldozer once into the mosque of those who pelted stones at the Ganesh procession, and you will see that such incidents will not recur anywhere in the state next year.”
Police action
Following complaints, authorities registered a case and initiated an investigation. Hegde was arrested under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to promoting enmity between groups and inciting communal disharmony.
Senior officers stated that the message could have created “serious law and order issues” and stressed that social media is not above the law. They added that strict monitoring is being conducted to curb the spread of divisive or inflammatory content online.
Background of the accused
Mahesh Vikram Hegde is the co-founder and editor of Postcard, an online platform that has previously been accused of sharing controversial content. Hegde has also faced police cases in the past in connection with allegedly spreading misinformation and provocative posts.
Larger context of social media monitoring
This arrest highlights growing scrutiny of online platforms and individuals who post provocative or inflammatory content. Authorities across states have been instructed to act swiftly against content that threatens communal harmony.
Legal experts note that while freedom of expression is protected under the Constitution, it does not extend to content that could incite violence or disturb public order. Courts have previously upheld that incitement to communal disharmony cannot be defended as free speech.
Conclusion
The arrest of Postcard co-founder Mahesh Vikram Hegde reflects the continuing efforts by law enforcement agencies to clamp down on provocative online messages that could inflame communal tensions. Police have reiterated that individuals will be held accountable for social media content that threatens peace and harmony.