Nikhat Fatima, siyasat.net
United Citizens Forum (UCF) – a National Forum of concerned citizens has filed a complaint against a YouTube channel that goes by the name ‘If Vs But’ at the Cyber Crimes Police Station, Hyderabad. This channel has been running from more than two years but has now surfaced after it crossed 1.43 million subscribers. The channel has grabbed the attention of Muslims worldwide due to its malicious content filled with false information that is demeaning Islam,its followers and Muslim rulers.
It has about 146 videos with each of their videos having viewership of over 100000. The channel is broadcasting blasphemous content designed to brainwash other communities against Islam & Muslims.
The members of UCF said in their complaint, “We were particularly concerned about a video which has been reported to the YouTube authorities who subsequently blocked the video; however there are many more videos that are equally damaging. Each video is filled with insidious and dangerous lies & is extremely harmful as the content is offensive & provocative.”
When the members of the forum filed an online complaint initially they were asked to approach the Cybercrimes PS as not any other PS. “So accordingly we went personally to the Cyber Crimes PS and filed our complaint. But we learnt that there were already 2 other complaints against this particular channel and a FIR was also registered,” said one of the members. “Our complaint was added to the other 2 under the common FIR instead of registering a fresh FIR” she added.
This channel plays the role of mischief in disturbing the harmony of the city/country, and can clearly be categorized under Hate Speech, said the complaint letter.
The complaint was filed under sections Section 95 of Code of Criminal Procedure that prohibits any person / organization from spreading hate; Section 153A that says Promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony Section 153B: Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration Section 292: Section 292(2) Whoever (a) sells, lets to hire, distributes, publicly exhibits or in any manner puts into circulation, or for purposes of sale, hire, distribution, public exhibition or circulation, makes, produces or has in his possession any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation or figure or any other obscene object whatsoever Section 293: Exposure of obscene objects to young people … Section 294: Whoever, to the annoyance of others…: does any obscene act in any public place Section 295: Destroying, damaging or defiling a place of worship or sacred object with intent to insult the religion of any class of persons.
“Though YouTube responded to one video and blocked it, our concern is not just shutting down the channel with immediate effect, but also requesting sternest and earliest action against the owner/producer of the channel, so they do not produce such content for public consumption, on this or any other channel”, said Maqbool Mateen who is the National President of the United Citizens Forum and is based in Hyderabad.
“The channel Ifs vs But was shocking for me to go through, full of malicious untruths about Muslims, their men and women, their way of life and above all their revered figures. The evil intent of spreading hatred against Muslims is absolutely evident. This channel must be banned and the owner should be severely punished” said Sharifa Siddiqui, a counsellor and also a member of UCF, “It also seems to be a part of the larger campaign against Muslims,” she added.
The officials at the Cyber Crimes Police Station said they are already investigating the matter as they have received 2 complaints earlier with this being the third. Apart from these 3 police complaints, an advocate in Mumbai has also filed a police complaint against this channel .
“All the videos in this channel are filled with venomous lies that will infuriate any Muslim. And they – the hate mongers take courage from the fact that nothing will ever happen to them. A police complaint filed here and there, a FIR somewhere, no arrest, no trial, no punishment, nothing. If this has to be stopped, at least a few of them should be tried and punished for their hate crimes”, said Fatima, who has viewed the videos and reported to the channel.
An online petition has also been initiated that garnered more than 1 lakh signatures.
https://www.change.org/p/youtube-delete-if-vs-but-youtube-channel?use_react=false
The members of United Citizens Forum say, they will follow up with the Police Station and not just file a FIR and stay silent.
(www.siyasat.net is Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India based Website, powered by Gujarat siyasat, a Fortnightly)
An Appeal For The Sake Of Upright & Fearless Brand Of Journalism
To sustain and improve our coverage. Gujarat siyasat- a vernacular Fortnightly and English٫ Hindi Website www.siyasat.net
Your little but timely support is needed۔
Bank details، GUJARAT SIYASAT, Current Account 204720110000318, ifsc code BKID0002047 BANK OF INDIA , VASNA BRANCH, AHMEDABAD GUJARAT INDIA
Also on Phone pay, Paytm,Google pay +91 9925531111
We hope you help and see siyasat.net grow. And rejoice that your contribution has made it possible.
सत्य को ज़िंदा रखने की इस मुहिम में आपका सहयोग बेहद ज़रूरी है। आपसे मिली सहयोग राशि हमारे लिए संजीवनी का कार्य करेगी और हमे इस मार्ग पर निरंतर चलने के लिए प्रेरित करेगी। याद रखिये ! सत्य विचलित हो सकता है पराजित नहीं।
Regards,
Abdulhafiz Lakhani
editor@siyasat.net, Ahmedabad
GUJARAT INDIA
