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Muslim Doctor In Rajasthan Arrested For Sending 'Obscene' Diwali Message On WhatsApp

Arrests over WhatsApp messages aren't new.
Arrests over WhatsApp messages aren't new.
Photothek via Getty Images
Arrests over WhatsApp messages aren't new.

A senior doctor who was posted at the Community Health Centre in Pokhran in Rajasthan was arrested after he allegedly sent an 'obscene' message relating to Diwali on a WhatsApp group.

According to thisIndian Express report, Mohammad Yaqub was arrested under Section 151 of the CrPC and removed from his post following complaints from members of Hindu organisations.

Although the content of the text is not yet known, Jaisalmer SP Gaurav Yadav told Express that "the message was worded obscenely."

According to the report, members of Hindu organisations and local Youth Congress activists joined to protest and condemn against the WhatsApp message.

"When we got to know about it, we made the arrest," Yadav said.

Arrests over WhatsApp messages aren't new.

Earlier this month, 22-year-old Mihan Ansari from the Jamtara district in Jharkhand, was arrested for allegedly sharing an objectionable comment on beef via WhatsApp. A week later, he died in the custody.

Ansari's family has alleged that he was beaten and tortured in police custody.

However, the cops believe that the fault lies with the WhatsApp groups and in fact, issued a circular saying that WhatsApp group admins will be held responsible for content in their groups.

The guidelines include--"If someone spreads rumours in the group or says something that is false or wrong, the group admin should immediately delete that message and kick out the member who posted it," and "If the WhatsApp message is a rumour and can affect peace within the society, it is the responsibility of the group admin to inform police immediately" among other things.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.