Gujarat Congress leader Rajesh Soni was arrested on Friday by the state’s Cyber Crime Cell for controversial Facebook posts related to Operation Sindoor. The posts allegedly spread misinformation and undermined the morale of Indian armed forces. One of the posts depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a fighter pilot uniform, while another falsely claimed that “the Indian government surrendered during the operation,” according to police. Authorities said these posts posed a threat to national security and public morale during a sensitive military mission.
Superintendent of Police (CID-Cyber Crime), Bharatsinh Tank, confirmed that Soni’s statements could demoralize defence personnel and endanger India’s sovereignty. The Congress leader was booked under the newly enforced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) laws, including Section 152, which penalizes acts that threaten the unity and integrity of India. This section carries strict penalties, including up to life imprisonment or a minimum of seven years in prison, along with a financial fine.
In addition, Soni faces charges under Section 353(1)(a) of the BNS, concerning statements that incite public mischief or disrupt public order. The charges reflect the government’s ongoing effort to clamp down on what it sees as irresponsible and inflammatory content on social media. The arrest has triggered debate over freedom of expression, with critics claiming that the government is attempting to suppress dissent during a time when national unity is crucial.
Operation Sindoor has been a major military offensive launched by India to dismantle terror infrastructure across the Pakistan border and in PoK. While hailed as a decisive move under India’s zero-tolerance policy on cross-border terrorism, the operation has also stirred controversy over media narratives and political speech. Rajesh Soni’s arrest highlights the growing tension between national security priorities and the protection of civil liberties in the digital era.
