FIR Registered After BJP Objects to Controversial Maharashtra Congress Post

Mumbai Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Monday against an unidentified individual accused of posting provocative content on the official X handle of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), following a complaint from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The post, which has since been deleted, warned the BJP against "pushing people to their limits," referencing recent violent protests in Leh, Ladakh, where Gen Z activists allegedly set fire to a BJP office amid demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards.

Accompanied by a sketch depicting a flaming BJP office and protesters holding placards on issues like unemployment and inflation, the message cautioned that such unrest could spread nationwide. The incident highlights escalating digital tensions between Maharashtra's rival parties ahead of the November 2025 state assembly elections, where social media skirmishes often amplify real-world grievances.

The complaint was lodged by Prakash Gade, coordinator of the BJP's social media cell, at the Marine Drive police station, prompting charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Sections invoked include 192 (wanton provocation with intent to cause riot), 353(1) (publishing or circulating false information or rumours via electronic means), and 353(2) (sharing content likely to cause public fear or alarm).

Police suspect the post was made by a low-level party worker or unauthorised user, as it bypassed MPCC's official verification protocols. An investigation is underway, involving cyber forensics to trace the IP address and account access logs, with potential for additional charges if incitement is proven. Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe distanced the party, calling the post "unauthorised and inflammatory", and announced an internal probe to identify the perpetrator.

The referenced Leh violence erupted on September 24, 2025, during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) demanding full statehood for Ladakh, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule for tribal protections, job reservations, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil. What began as a peaceful agitation turned chaotic outside the BJP office in Leh, where protesters torched the building and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) vehicle, leading to clashes with security forces.

Police fired on the crowd, resulting in four deaths and over 60 injuries, prompting a curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, leading a hunger strike since September 10, condemned the violence as "nonsense" that damaged the cause. The Centre blamed "provocative statements" by Wangchuk for inciting the mob, while negotiations with protest leaders are slated for October 6. BJP leaders accused Congress of orchestrating the unrest, a narrative echoed in the Maharashtra post.

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This episode reflects a surge in polarised online rhetoric during Maharashtra's pre-poll season, where the ruling Mahayuti alliance (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP) faces anti-incumbency over farmer distress and urban flooding. Similar FIRs against opposition handles have proliferated, with the Maharashtra Cyber Cell monitoring over 5,000 defamatory posts since August. As the probe advances, it could escalate inter-party hostilities, potentially drawing in the Election Commission for content moderation guidelines ahead of the polls.

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