Mangaluru: Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H on Friday issued a strong warning against individuals spreading rumours that could create insecurity among the Muslim community and provoke hatred between Hindu and Muslim groups. His remarks came after a fake social media post falsely claimed that police personnel had entered a masjid premises to check whether beef was being cooked.
Police dismiss fake social media post
Mangaluru: Commissioner Reddy clarified that the allegation circulating on social media was entirely fabricated and aimed at disturbing communal peace. He said certain miscreants were attempting to further their agenda of spreading communal hatred, as they have repeatedly attempted in the past.
He added that a group of individuals, both within Mangaluru and from abroad, had been working persistently for the past ten days to rake up old issues, exaggerate routine matters, or create completely false narratives to instigate tensions.
“The intention behind such posts is very clear — to disturb the peace and harmony that the people of Mangaluru have always upheld,” the commissioner said.
Cases to be filed against rumour spreaders
Mangaluru: Commissioner Reddy stated that strict legal action would follow against those responsible for circulating such misinformation. “Cases will be booked, and the accused will be brought to book,” he warned, stressing that no leniency would be shown to individuals attempting to stoke communal friction.
The police urged citizens not to fall prey to unverified claims circulating online and to rely only on credible sources of information. Officials also appealed to the public to immediately report any suspicious or inflammatory posts to the cybercrime police for verification.
Masjid authorities clarify misinformation
Mangaluru: Authorities of the masjid mentioned in the viral social media post issued a clear statement distancing themselves from the allegations. They confirmed that no such police visit had taken place and that the controversial post had “nothing to do with the masjid.”
The clarification further exposed the malicious intent behind the rumour, reinforcing the police’s assertion that certain individuals were attempting to disrupt communal harmony by fabricating incidents and sharing them widely.
Appeal for calm and responsible online behaviour
Mangaluru: The police commissioner urged the public to remain calm and maintain the city’s long-standing communal harmony. He reminded citizens that law enforcement agencies are actively monitoring online platforms and will take swift action against any attempts to instigate unrest.
The commissioner reiterated that spreading fake news, especially those with communal undertones, is a punishable offence. He emphasised the importance of responsible behaviour in the digital space, noting that misinformation can have serious consequences in a multi-religious society like India.
Conclusion
Mangaluru: With the city’s police leadership taking a firm stand, efforts are underway to prevent the spread of misinformation and safeguard communal peace. Authorities have called on community members, social media users, and religious institutions to remain vigilant and cooperate with the police to counter rumour-mongering and uphold harmony in the region.