West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The man originally from West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district was arrested in Mumbai after allegedly posting “Pakistan Zindabad” on Facebook, triggering a political storm and public outrage in his hometown. The man, identified as Sarif Sheikh, is currently in the custody of Mumbai Police as further legal proceedings are underway.

According to police officials, Sheikh had posted the controversial slogan accompanied by the national flags of Pakistan and Bangladesh. The post rapidly gained attention and caused widespread discontent among residents in his native village of Dainhat. Local villagers, angered by what they deemed an “anti-national” act, gathered outside the Dainhat police outpost and demanded stringent action against the accused.

Sarif Sheikh had reportedly been working in Kerala as a mason before moving to Mumbai, where he started a garment business. Though his roots remain in West Bengal, he had been residing in Mumbai for work purposes for some time. His controversial post came to light on a day of heightened sensitivity around national security, further amplifying the reaction from locals and authorities alike.

Upon receiving multiple complaints and verifying the Facebook post, Purba Bardhaman police acted promptly by contacting their counterparts in Mumbai. Coordination between the two police departments led to Sheikh’s arrest within 48 hours of the post being reported. He was booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to sedition, inciting hatred, and promoting enmity between different groups.

“The act of raising slogans supporting a foreign country hostile to India on a public platform cannot be taken lightly. This is a serious matter and we are pursuing legal recourse accordingly,” a senior officer from the Purba Bardhaman police said.

Local political leaders also reacted strongly to the incident. Several expressed concern about the increasing misuse of social media platforms and called for stricter monitoring mechanisms to curb such content. “We cannot allow anyone to insult the country under the guise of free speech,” said a local MLA. “There must be accountability.”

Meanwhile, a team of officers from West Bengal has reportedly traveled to Mumbai to initiate the process of transferring Sheikh to his home state where further interrogation will take place. Security has also been tightened around his ancestral home, as tensions remain high in the village. No untoward incidents have been reported so far.

The arrest has once again raised questions around the limits of freedom of expression in the digital age, and the responsibilities that come with it. Experts warn that social media, while a powerful tool of communication, can also be misused to spread provocative or harmful content. Law enforcement agencies across the country have reiterated the need for vigilance when it comes to potentially inflammatory material online.

As the legal process unfolds, Sheikh’s fate will be decided by the courts. For now, the case serves as a reminder of the thin line between expression and provocation, especially when national sentiments are at stake.