The police took a 39-year-old man identified as Rajesh R Kurup into custody on November 5 after he distributed the picture that portrayed him as an Ayappa devotee being kicked by a policeman at Sabarimala temple. The photo went viral in social media within minutes of sharing under the tag ‘police atrocities’. The image was soon discovered to be a fake one.

Attempt to fan protest

Kurup resides in Chembakapally at Mannar and has been a staunch follower of RSS, and further enquiry concluded that he had tampered the image in an attempt to lodge a protest against the Kerala cops. He had shared the picture in social media without revealing the tampering as evidence against the Kerala police. However, within hours after the image was uploaded, it was found to be fake and was the effort of a photo shoot. The picture had the watermark of the studio with uploading rights residing with the photographer. The image stirred controversies and Rajesh decided to take it down. The photo depicted Rajesh, dressed in the traditional Ayyappa devotee attire with black dhoti and holding an idol as a policeman kicked him with foot on his chest was pictured as part of the photo shoot event. The other picture showed a policeman hurting him with a baton. Kurup was arrested after the DYFI Secretary S Sarathbabu complained with Alappuzha district chief police official S Surendran as reported by Times Of India.

Jose Matthew, the Inspector of Mannar Circle, told media that Kurup was an RSS supporter with no high designation. He also said that Kurup confessed his crime.

Rajesh had been filed under four sections of law – 153, 500, 118 and 120 and has now been released on bail. The police have confiscated his mobile for further examination in the cyber cell.

Earlier protests in Sabarimala

Sabarimala temple has now become the topic of controversy and protest after the Supreme Court’s verdict to allow women into the temple, which earlier restricted women of menstruating age. The temple broke out in protest from October 17 to 22, as many devotees were not happy with the order to go against the old tradition. The temple is a seasonal one that opens only once or twice a month to perform rituals to the shrine.

The Logical Indian Take

Violent protests is now becoming more common, and this incident is quite shocking to the public and the police. On October 27, a photo of a cop attacking the devotees in Sabarimala went viral during the protest against women and was later proved to be fake. Social media platform is a source of information, and it is in the hands of the individual to think before a click. It is unethical to share fake news, and one may be taken into custody anytime in case of sharing fake news, as there are many instances where lynching and other criminal offences happen because of this very reason. It is advisable for us to hold on to safe practices of the social platform.

Also Read: “We Put Forward Agenda & Everyone Surrendered To It,” Kerala BJP President On Sabarimala Row