As India mourns the targeted killing of 27 Hindu tourists in the Pahalgam terror attack, social media has become a disturbing battleground where victims are being mocked, blamed, and communalised, triggering a wave of arrests across Madhya Pradesh.
In separate incidents from Jabalpur and Damoh, three individuals were taken into custody for posting abusive and inflammatory content targeting the victims, including a woman who lost her husband in the attack. The posts, ranging from vile conspiracy theories to provocative communal comparisons, surfaced just days after the massacre in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran meadow, where Islamic terrorists ambushed unarmed families enjoying a vacation in the valley.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammad Osaf Khan, Tanveer Qureshi and Waseem Khan.
Jabalpur: Mohammad Osaf Khan arrested
In Jabalpur, police on Thursday arrested 37-year-old Mohammad Osaf Khan, a resident of New Anand Nagar, for posting a disturbing comment on Facebook targeting a female victim of the Pahalgam attack. The post sparked outrage for not only insulting the grieving woman but also accusing her of orchestrating the killing of her husband during the terror assault.
In his comment, Osaf Khan alleged: “This woman must be investigated. She might have hired the shooter and got rid of her husband when she got the chance.”
The post quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism from across communities. A local citizen, Abhay Srivastava, lodged a formal complaint at the Hanumantal Police Station, demanding action against the accused for spreading disinformation and insulting victims of terror.
Police acted swiftly and arrested Khan, registering a case under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
Additional SP Crime Branch Sonali Dubey emphasised a zero-tolerance approach toward such behavior.
“Any insensitive or provocative remarks during such sensitive times will not be tolerated. We are closely monitoring social media and anyone posting harmful or disrespectful content will face legal consequences.”
Khan is expected to be produced before the court soon.
Damoh: Two held for equating Hindu killings with mob lynching
In another disturbing case, Damoh police arrested two men, Wasim Khan from Bhopal and Tanveer Qureshi from Damoh, for allegedly posting communal content online following the Pahalgam terror attack. Both men are in their late thirties.
Their posts reportedly drew provocative parallels between the massacre of Hindu pilgrims and past instances of Muslims being lynched over religious slogans. This attempt to communalise the incident triggered a swift response from law enforcement.
Damoh SP Shrutkirti Somvanshi confirmed the arrests and said: “The two were arrested after our cyber cell flagged their posts. A FIR has been lodged against them under Sections 353(2), 196, 299, and 3(5) of the BNS for promoting enmity between communities, spreading false information, and hurting religious sentiments.”
While Tanveer is currently unemployed, Wasim is under investigation for possible links with a Bhopal-based regional news outlet, police sources said.
Authorities are also probing whether the two men coordinated their posts or followed the same communal narrative circulating online in the wake of the terror attack.
About the Pahalgam terror attack
The attack occurred on April 22 in the picturesque Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, where Islamic terrorists opened fire on a group of Hindu tourists, killing 27 and injuring several others.
Among the deceased was Sushil Nathaniel, a 58-year-old LIC branch manager from Indore, who was shot dead after he reportedly failed to recite the Kalma, an Islamic declaration of faith.
His wife, Jennifer Nathaniel, later told relatives in a heart-wrenching phone call: “Sushil acted quickly, urging me to hide and faced the attackers alone. Forced to kneel, he was asked his religion. He replied he was Christian and, when pressed to recite the Kalma, could not. The terrorists shot him dead.”
His daughter, 30-year-old Akanksha, suffered a gunshot wound, while his son Austin and wife escaped physical harm. The family had travelled to Kashmir on April 21 to celebrate Jennifer’s birthday.
The brutality of the attack has drawn nationwide condemnation, and calls for justice continue to grow louder, now also directed toward those attempting to demean or communalise the tragedy on social media.
Government response
The arrests in Madhya Pradesh reflect growing concern over online hate speech and the exploitation of national tragedies for communal agendas. Citizens have called for exemplary punishment to set a precedent.
“We want justice and the killers should be given the strictest punishment,” said Indu Dawar, cousin of Sushil Nathaniel.
Madhya Pradesh officials, including Indore Collector Ashish Singh, have assured full state support for the victim families and promised cooperation with Jammu and Kashmir authorities.
“Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is constantly seeking updates. The state government stands with the bereaved families,” said an official.
The investigations into these cases continue as cyber cells across the country remain on high alert.
