Hyderabad: A video post by All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA Majid Hussain is no longer accessible in India, the legislator has said. The post, shared on Instagram and other social media platforms, related to a late night communal clash in Hyderabad’s Mehdipatnam area.
The incident occurred when self proclaimed cow vigilantes (gau rakshaks) attacked a vehicle, claiming it was transporting cattle for slaughter. However, their allegation collapsed when it emerged the container was actually carrying cardboard. Frustrated, the vigilantes pelted stones at the vehicle, triggering a local backlash that forced them to flee.
The attack took place just metres from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Golconda Zone. Police rushed to the spot, attempting to disperse the crowd, but at least two officers and a passerby sustained injuries. Several vehicles were also damaged in the confrontation.
Majid Hussain reached the site and staged a sit in protest against the police, accusing them of failing to control the communal flare up. “When locals were telling the police that it was a plywood-carrying truck and were asking why there was violence over it. All that the inspector said is that he will do a lathi charge. You could have kept the vehicle near the Asif Nagar police station. What is the use of this useless policing that is helping communal violence?” he said.
The MLA later posted a critique of the incident online, but the post has since been blocked or removed in India under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, which allows online intermediaries to take down content when directed by a court or government order.
Hussain strongly criticised the restrictions, writing: “When words starts reaching people, they (Government of India) start restricting them.”