Digitally altered images of political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Arvind Kejriwal, sparked protests in Mysuru's Udayagiri area. The images, depicting them in offensive ways, escalated tensions, leading to violence and police deployment to restore peace
Published Feb 11, 2025 | 3:12 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 11, 2025 | 3:14 PM
Tensions escalate in Mysuru after offensive post triggers protests and clashes
Synopsis: A controversial social media post with digitally altered images of political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Arvind Kejriwal, led to protests and violent clashes in Mysuru’s Udayagiri area. The post, showing the leaders in offensive depictions, sparked tensions, resulting in injuries to seven police officers. Authorities deployed KSRP and CAR to restore order amid escalating violence
A social media post that sparked widespread outrage has led to protests and violent clashes in the Udayagiri area of Mysuru, resulting in injuries to seven police officers.
The controversy began after digitally altered images of prominent political figures, including Rahul Gandhi, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, were shared online.
The images depicted the leaders semi-nude, wearing skull caps, and with words in Arabic script painted on their bodies.
The post quickly escalated tensions, particularly in the Muslim-majority Udayagiri area, with thousands from the community gathering to protest.
Community leaders intervened in an attempt to calm the situation, but the protests soon turned violent. In response, Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and the City Armed Reserve (CAR) were deployed to maintain peace.
#Mysuru: Social Media Post Sparks Tensions, Protests in Udayagiri
An offensive social media post has triggered tensions in Udayagiri, a Muslim-majority area in Mysuru. The post featured digitally altered images of politicians #RahulGandhi, #AkhileshYadav, and #ArvindKejriwal,… pic.twitter.com/B3Hgd4TR6s
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) February 11, 2025
During the protests, demonstrators clashed with police officers. Seven officers were reported injured as tensions escalated.
According to a statement by ADGP Hitendra, a special team has been formed by local police to investigate the incident and arrest those involved in the violence.
Authorities reported that some protestors believed the accused behind the offensive post might be released soon, which further fuelled the unrest. The situation reached a boiling point when protestors approached the Udayagiri police station, demanding the immediate handover of the accused.
The minister said, “The protestors came to the police station and demanded that the accused be handed over. The police did not do so, so the protestors threw stones at the police station. Everything is under control now.”
In response, police were forced to use a lathi charge to disperse the crowd and restore order.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the individuals responsible for the offensive post and any groups that may have been involved in orchestrating the violence.
The Karnataka Home Minister confirmed that an arrest has been made in connection with the post.
ADGP Hitendra assured the public that the situation was now under control and that the police would continue to work to maintain peace in the area.
“The investigation will reveal who was involved in the violence and whether any organisation played a role in it,” he said.
The authorities remain on high alert, with police forces deployed to prevent further escalation.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Nolan Patrick Pinto)
