Hisar (Haryana): Rajesh Kundu, the founder of the online news portal- The ink, was booked for allegedly posting 'communal messages' on several social media platforms.
On Friday, Kundu posted on his Facebook about probable 'caste-related violence in Hisar' and later he posted the same note on his other social media accounts.
According to the police spokesperson, Vikram, the journalist who runs an online news portal and also associated with a news channel, had posted inflammatory posts on Facebook on Friday without having any credible source and proves. The police spokesman maintained that the post can incite violence and ultimately hamper national integrity.
The FIR was lodged against the journalist under Sections 153A (promoting communal disharmony) and 153 B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) of the IPC and Section 66 F (cyber terrorism) of the IT Act, 2000.
However, speaking to ETV Bharat, Kundu claimed, "I performed my duty as a responsible journalist by sharing a post regarding my apprehension of violence on the occasion of B R Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14. The post that I shared was accumulated through various credible sources. I just wanted to alert the people so that such a situation can be averted."
The Hisar based journalist, who has also actively covered the ongoing farmer protest, urged the police to cancel the FIR lodged against him and added there must be a communication gap that needs to be saturated.
Meanwhile, the Opposition and various journalists union took a dig over the police act and termed the move against 'freedom of press'.
According to the sources, Haryana Mahapanchayat will also be scheduled on Sunday evening as a mark of protest against the FIR.
Also Read: Journo booked for spreading 'provocative' messages on social media
