A social media content creator was arrested in West Bengal’s Malda district on Saturday after allegedly posting a video containing abusive remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, police said. The arrest came after local BJP leaders lodged a complaint accusing her of using offensive language while commenting on border fencing and illegal infiltration.
The accused, identified as Musu Yesmin, is a resident of Mubarakpur under Chanchal police station in Malda district. According to local sources, she regularly creates videos on social and political issues for social media platforms.
BJP Complaint Leads to Arrest
The controversy began after Yesmin uploaded a video discussing the installation of barbed-wire fencing along the India-Bangladesh border to prevent illegal infiltration. Police said the video allegedly contained abusive and objectionable remarks directed at Amit Shah.
Following the video’s circulation on social media, local BJP leaders submitted a written complaint at Chanchal Police Station. Police arrested Yesmin within hours of the complaint and launched an investigation.
As she was taken to court, BJP workers gathered outside the police station and demanded strict legal action.
Local BJP leader Sandeep Pandey claimed the content creator had changed the nature of her videos.
“Initially, this content creator used to make good videos. Suddenly, she started creating anti-India content,” Pandey said.
BJP leaders also alleged that the video may not have been an individual’s expression alone and urged police to examine whether any “anti-national forces” were behind its creation.
Police Probe Underway
Police officials said the investigation is continuing and that all aspects of the case, including the motive behind the video, are being examined.
The accused was produced before the appropriate court after her arrest.
Rights Activist Questions Swift Police Action
The arrest has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates, who raised concerns about freedom of expression and the speed of the police action.
Human rights activist Rahul Chakraborty questioned the manner in which the arrest was carried out.
“Political criticism and the evaluation of the performance of public representatives form the bedrock of any healthy, vibrant democracy. However, the manner in which a content creator was arrested at the Chanchal police station in Malda—merely 12 hours after a complaint was filed—raises several serious questions regarding the scope of civil rights and freedom of speech,” he told The Observer Post.
He further alleged that such actions could discourage public criticism of those in power.
“The current BJP government in the state is indirectly signaling that criticizing those in the corridors of power can result in imprisonment. This tendency to stifle dissent through the sheer force of power is tarnishing the democratic character of India,” Chakraborty said.
Police have not announced any further arrests, and the investigation into the case is ongoing.
