Youtuber Vikas Fhatak, popularly known as Hindustani Bhau, has been arrested by Mumbai police on Tuesday. The arrest was made in connection with the students’ protest in Dharavi on Monday. The students protested in Mumbai and Nagpur demanding online exams amid the pandemic.
Reportedly, it has emerged that Hindustani Bhau asked the students to assemble in the Dharavi area near the resident of Maharashtra education minister Varsha Gaikwad through a video. Yesterday, after his arrest, police said that they will take action against the YouTuber, who was also reportedly present at the protest of the students.
The protest then turn massive leading to baton charge by police, in Nagpur. This agitated students to damage two buses, said the officials.
In a YouTube video featuring Hindustani Bhau, the influencer said that in these two years many people died because of Covid and families are still recovering from the shock. “And now the new drama of Omicron has started. What is this? The government is urging people to remain indoors. They why take offline exams of the students,” he added to his statement.
“Exams cancel karo. bacho ke jaan ke sath mt khelo warna hoga fir se andolan,” the social media influencer ranted in his slogan.
The YouTube video has garnered more than 2.77 lakh views till Tuesday. It was uploaded on January 24.
Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope has said that the decision to take offline exams has been taken after careful consideration and all safety measures like maintaining social distancing, wearing of masks, etc will be taken. The minister also appealed to all the students protesting, to co-operate with the government in conducting offline exams.
According to the preliminary investigation into the massive protest which led to vandalism in some parts, Hindustani bhau has been arrested for invoking the students into taking part in the protest through his social media accounts. Responding to the query, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone V, Pranay Ashok said that action will be taken as per the law againts whoever is responsible for instigating students.
Ms Kalinga