YouTuber Hindustani Bhau arrested for ’instigating’ students in Mumbai’s Dharavi

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, Feb 01, 2022: Social media influencer and YouTuber ’Hindustani Bhau’ alias Vikas Phatak has been arrested by the Dharavi police in Mumbai for allegedly instigating students. He had allegedly asked students to assemble near the residence of Maharashtra Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad to demand the cancellation of offline exams for classes 10 and 12 on Monday.

 

"Social media influencer Vikas Phatak, also known as ’Hindustani Bhau’, has been arrested by the Dharavi Police in connection with the students’ protest in Dharavi yesterday over their demand for online exams for classes 10 and 12, in view of Covid-19. FIR has been registered against Phatak and others," news agency ANI said.

’Hindustani Bhau’ had uploaded a video of him on Instagram, allegedly instigating students. The FIR is registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including that of rioting, Maharashtra Police Act, Disaster Management Act and Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act.

Dharavi Police has also arrested one Iqrar Khan Vakhar Khan in the matter.

Several hundred students protested on Monday afternoon at Ashok Mill Naka for their demands. Police responded with a mild baton charge to stop them from moving towards the minister’s residence in the vicinity.

The students argued against holding the board exams for classes 10 and 12 in person, saying they had studied online due to Covid restrictions.

The police official said that Hindustani Bhau and others were responsible for the gathering of students.

As per the preliminary investigation, it was YouTuber Hindustani Bhau who had appealed to students to take part in the protest through his social media accounts.

Responding to a query, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone V, Pranay Ashok said, “Action will be taken as per the law against anyone responsible for instigating students".

Another police official said that Hindustani Bhau had visited the Dharavi police station requesting the police to not stop students from reaching Gaikwad’s residence.

Courtesy:India Today