Osmania University student arrested for blasphemous comments in Telangana

HYDERABAD: Osmania University student Byri Naresh was on Saturday arrested for allegedly making blasphemous statements, hurting the religious sentiments ofa community. Following the statements of Naresh at an event in Vikarabad, protests have erupted in state seeking his arrest.
Vikarabad police took Naresh into custody in Warangal and he was shifted to Vikarabad amidst high security. A case was registered against Naresh by the Pargi police. The accused was produced before a local judge, who remanded him in judicial custody.
As the news broke about the arrest of Naresh, a large number of people gathered near the jail, staging a protest against him. Police had a tough time keeping away the mob from the jail entrance. Along with Naresh, police also arrested Hanumanthu, who organised the event. When both the accused were brought to the jail in a police vehicle, Naresh and Hanumanthu were spotted running into the jail premises to avoid the angry protesters.
On December 19, Naresh had made the alleged blasphemous statements against a community while participating in an event. The video went viral on social media, sparking protests.
Vikarabad SP Koti Reddy said that Naresh was arrested for making the statements, whereas Hanumanthu was arrested for organising the event.
The Pargi police had registered a case under Sections 153(A) (Promoting enmity between different groups), 295(A) (Malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion) and other relevant sections of the IPC. A few more such cases have been registered at different parts of the state in the last two days against Naresh.