Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani was arrested by Assam Police in Banaskantha on April 20, 2022, following a complaint over a tweet he posted criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mevani was then flown to Guwahati and taken to Kokrajhar, where a local court granted a three-day police custody.
The complaint was filed by Arup Kumar Dey, a BJP member, who alleged that Mevani’s tweet, which suggested that Modi considered Nathuram Godse as a god, could disturb public peace and harmony. The FIR, based on the complaint, includes charges under the IT Act and the Indian Penal Code for promoting enmity and causing public unrest.
Mevani’s arrest has sparked protests, with the Congress party and Dalit groups condemning the move. They argue that it is an attempt to silence dissent, especially in the run-up to elections. Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Hardik Patel criticized the government's actions, calling it a violation of democratic rights. Mevani's legal team plans to move the Gauhati High Court to challenge the arrest.