Politics

Website That Said Only Muslim Homes Are Being Quarantined In Prayagraj Deletes Report After Police Confront 

Harshil Mehta

May 04, 2020, 04:01 PM | Updated May 20, 2020, 08:45 PM IST


Screen of a tweet put out by the handle @PrayagrajSsp
Screen of a tweet put out by the handle @PrayagrajSsp
  • SSP Prayagraj police took to Twitter to say that police are now trying to arrest the reporter.
  • On 30 April, a website ‘Salaam India News‘ published a report which said that only Muslim homes in Prayagraj are being quarantined.

    The report put out images of some posters that said — ‘Corona (Covid-19), miliye mat, quarantine kiya Huma ghar’ (Corona, don’t meet, this house is quarantined).

    The report said that the posters had been put up only outside Muslim houses and this was done intentionally by police to demonise Muslims.

    Screenshot of the report on the website that has now been deleted
    Screenshot of the report on the website that has now been deleted

    The report also said that Rihai Manch, a group of lawyers and human rights activists, has taken up the matter.

    The report was shared by many users on social media. One such tweet was quote-tweeted by the handle of Prayagraj senior superintendent of police (SSP), who refuted the report.

    “A case has been filed against so-called journalist Yusuf Ansari for writing fake report and to disturb communal harmony,” read the SSP’s tweet (as translated from Hindi).

    “The irresponsible reporter switched off his phone when repeatedly asked on what basis he wrote this report. Prayagraj police are trying to arrest him.”

    The user deleted the tweet. The website too has now deleted its original report and apologised.

    The headline now says that there was no discrimination.

    The clarification posted on the website after the police took umbrage at the fake news. 
    The clarification posted on the website after the police took umbrage at the fake news. 

    Harshil Mehta is a columnist who writes on international relations, diplomacy, and national issues. He tweets @MehHarshil.


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