THE PUNJAB police have relied on social media platforms to build its sedition case against radical Sikh outfits that had organised the Sarbat Khalsa (Sikh congregation) at Amritsar on November 10. According to the FIR registered on Friday, the station house officer (SHO) at the Chittiwind Police Station in Amritsar district has collected video clips of the event, which was streamed on the internet, and allegedly found that speeches delivered from stage “not only spread communal hate but were also aimed at hurting national integrity, sovereignty”.

“As a result of the speeches made from the stage, supporters raised slogans to spread hatred in different groups and sects and hoisted anti-country flags. Incited by the speeches, some supporters raised communal and anti-country slogans while going back to their homes after conclusion of event. This act of supporters created an environment of fear and communalism among the common people. Investigation found that the environment of fear has been created among the people (sic),” the FIR reads.