After street violence, narratives, taunts move on to WhatsApp in Kanpur

On the messaging platform, both Hindus and Muslims share incriminating videos, memes and blame the other community for starting the violence

Sitting inside his confectionery shop near Parade Chowk in Kanpur, Abhishek Sahu, 40, unlocked his smartphone and opened a WhatsApp group of "friends". Among messages of "Jai Shree Ram" and "I support Nupur Sharma" with Ms. Sharma's photos, there were several videos on the group.

One of the videos, which was shot at night, after the communal violence in the area on June 3, purportedly shows a group of police personnel allegedly beating at least two Muslim men, who are crying out loud.

"Late night, the cries which could be heard in the lanes of Kanpur, this is called relief in scriptures," read a message in Hindi; the video also praised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

After the communal violence in Nai Sadak of Kanpur, the area is now under heavy security cover, and many such conversations and discussions have moved to WhatsApp.

Some Hindus were attacking Muslims or supporting the BJP over WhatsApp messages. Meanwhile, some Muslims attacked Nupur Sharma or supported Zafar Hayat Hashmi, who had given the call for closing down shops in the area on June 3, according to WhatsApp conversations seen by The Hindu.

Both groups also have videos on the messaging platform through which they explain how the other community allegedly started the violence.

Following Friday prayers on June 3, there was violence in the area after a group of Muslims took out a march against comments made by Ms. Sharma about Prophet Mohammad. When the march reached a Hindu-dominated area in Nai Sadak, it turned violent and there was heavy stone pelting. Both communities claim that the other community started the violence.