Social media enthusiasts in Bengaluru were warned to not spread hate amid the lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic on Monday.
"Lot of unwanted hate is being created on social media. Pray don't be party to share, forward and liking such messages," tweeted Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao.
Bhaskar Rao said stringent provisions of the National Disaster Management Act could be invoked for such offences.
Calling for unity, the Police Commissioner said the world was fighting a common enemy.
Underscoring the importance of life than a job, he said the social distancing would be enforced more stringently henceforth. "Social distancing will be enforced more stringently in public interest. Your life is more important than your job," Rao tweeted.
Friends on Social https://t.co/2E99cGNZ97 is fighting a common Enemy. Lot of unwanted hate is being created on social media. Praydon’t be party to share, forward and liking such msgs.Stringent provisions Of National Diaster Management Act can be invoked.Let’s Unite.
— Bhaskar Rao IPS (@deepolice12) April 6, 2020
The Commissioner's warning comes on a day when Bheemashankar Guled, DCP, Bengaluru (Northeast) stated that a video was being wrongly circulated claiming to be from Haj Bhavan Bengaluru.
"This video is being circulated wrongly as pertaining to Haj Bhavan Bangalore, i personally have visited the Haj bhavan and this is not video of Haj bhavan Bangalore. And nothing has happened as alleged in the video at Haj Bhavan Bangalore," Bheemashankar said.
This video is being circulated wrongly as pertaining to Haj Bhavan Bangalore, i personally have visited the Haj bhavan and this is not video of Haj bhavan Bangalore. And nothing has happened as alleged in the video at Haj Bhavan Bangalore
— Dr Bheemashankar S Guled (@DCPNEBCP) April 6, 2020
DCP North East, Bangalore @BlrCityPolice pic.twitter.com/al2v5OGnv9
The video showed Muslims in a dormitory building and a voice says samples for coronavirus tests A voice in the video says samples for coronavirus were taken from the people in the afternoon of 1st, but it was reported to be collected on 3rd and results came back on 4th for the same. The man heard in the video suspects foul play and urges a look into the matter.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa also warned the people in the state against ostracising the Muslim community for isolated incidents.
Several cases of fake news related to the coronavirus and the terms of the lockdown enforced in Karnataka have also circulated on social media.