Nagpur Violence: Maharashtra Cyber Flags Over 140 Inflammatory Posts and Videos

Maharashtra Cyber has flagged over 140 inflammatory posts and videos across social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube, linked to the recent violence in Nagpur. Officials reported on Wednesday that this content was designed to incite communal unrest and exacerbate tensions in the state. The department, in collaboration with Nagpur City Cyber Police, identified multiple accounts spreading provocative material aimed at offending religious sentiments and disrupting law and order.

Notices have been issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, to ensure the swift removal of such content. Additionally, under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), notices were served to unmask the identities of those behind these accounts. Maharashtra Cyber stated that the material exploits deeply held beliefs to provoke discord, deepen communal divides, and threaten peace and stability.

The riots in Nagpur, sparked by protests over Aurangzeb’s tomb on March 17, have already caused significant damage to public property. Authorities emphasized that strict legal action will be taken against individuals misusing digital platforms to fuel unrest. The Cyber Department is actively working to identify and prosecute offenders, underscoring that such actions violate the law and endanger communal harmony.

Citizens have been urged to verify information before sharing and avoid engaging with unverified or inflammatory content online. Maharashtra Cyber’s crackdown reflects a broader effort to curb the misuse of social media amid rising tensions in the region.