Uttar Pradesh Police Initiates Sedition Case Against Influencer Over Nepal Protest Video

Sedition Charges Filed Against Arpit Sharma

The police in Uttar Pradesh have launched a sedition case against influencer Arpit Sharma, citing Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This action is linked to a video he shared regarding the protests in Nepal, which were sparked by issues of corruption and misgovernance.

Section 152 addresses actions that threaten India's sovereignty, unity, and integrity. Critics have labeled it a modern iteration of the colonial sedition law.

The first information report, filed on Thursday, claims that Sharma's video was intended to incite violence in India and jeopardize national integrity.

Nepal recently experienced a political upheaval following protests against the government's ban on 26 social media platforms, which escalated into a wider movement against alleged corruption.

These protests have been primarily driven by the younger generation, often referred to as 'Gen Z', encompassing individuals born from the late 1990s to 2010.

In his video, which he posted on X shortly after the protests began, Sharma commended the youth of Nepal and questioned why Indians were not protesting against issues like corruption and hate speech.

Sharma stated, “When I made the video, the protests were peaceful… at no point was I inciting people.”

Since the filing of the FIR, Sharma has reportedly received online death threats. He mentioned that his workplace details in England, where he works as a chartered accountant, have been exposed, and his family has also faced threats.