In a bold move against communal hate speech, Assam Police arrested two men for publishing anti-Hindu posts on social media on June 10, 2025. According to officials, the offensive content, widely circulated online, included derogatory remarks about Hindu beliefs and rituals. The arrests came after several complaints from local communities and social groups.
Authorities have identified the two individuals as residents of Nagaon and Barpeta districts. They were taken into custody under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act, including charges for promoting religious enmity.
Anti-Hindu Posts Lead to Rapid Police Action in Assam
Promptly after receiving public complaints, Assam’s Cyber Cell launched an investigation to trace the source of the anti-Hindu posts. Within hours, forensic teams tracked the posts to the two suspects. The police seized their mobile devices and social media accounts for further analysis.
Importantly, the accused were not only posting hateful content but were also reportedly encouraging others to spread similar messages. Consequently, their posts went viral, which prompted a statewide alert from law enforcement. Deputy Inspector General (CID), Sanjeev Kumar, said this arrest sends a strong message: “Assam will not tolerate online activities that threaten communal harmony.”
Government Condemns Anti-Hindu Posts, Promotes Digital Harmony
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed the issue during a press briefing. He called on citizens to use digital platforms responsibly and emphasized the importance of religious tolerance. Moreover, the Chief Minister added that the state is actively working with central agencies to monitor content that could incite violence or hatred.
Given that Assam is also experiencing environmental crises, such as widespread floods and an ongoing heatwave, the government fears that communal unrest could worsen already vulnerable conditions. Thus, officials are encouraging the public to avoid sharing provocative content, especially on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter).
For guidance on digital ethics, visit meity.gov.in for official communication guidelines from the Government of India.
Legal Experts: Anti-Hindu Posts Violate Free Speech Limits
Legal analysts say that while free speech is protected under the Indian Constitution, hate speech—especially when targeted at a religion—is a punishable offense. Ananya Roy, a constitutional lawyer based in Guwahati, explained, “Speech that promotes enmity between groups or attacks religious identities crosses the line from expression to incitement.”
She added that arrests for anti-Hindu posts reflect the judiciary’s increasing willingness to treat digital speech as seriously as offline actions. Still, Roy warned that due process must be followed, and law enforcement should ensure there’s no misuse of cyber laws.
Civil Society and Student Unions Support Action Against Hate Speech
Many civil groups and student unions supported the arrests. The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) released a statement urging social media companies to step up content moderation and act swiftly against communal hatred. They also demanded state-sponsored awareness programs to educate young users about the risks of online hate.
At the same time, several digital rights organizations requested transparency from authorities and asked them to release a public report on the case. They argue that while combating hate speech is crucial, accountability and transparency are equally necessary.
Social Media Giants Asked to Cooperate
The Assam government has officially contacted Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram) and Google to request content takedowns. Authorities are also seeking user data linked to hate speech networks. Additionally, they want platforms to implement real-time monitoring of high-risk keywords and hashtags.
For more information on India’s digital content laws, explore the MIB IT Rules 2021.
READ MORE: Assam Record-Breaking Heat Triggers Climate Crisis
Assam’s Stance: No Safe Space for Hate Speech
This case underlines Assam’s growing vigilance against hate speech and online extremism. The arrests related to anti-Hindu posts show a determined stance to preserve peace and cultural pluralism, both offline and online.
To report offensive content, citizens can use the National Cyber Crime Portal. Community awareness, digital accountability, and responsible media usage must now become shared goals to prevent communal disruptions in the future.
