Ranchi: A tribal activist, campaigning against the state government's move to amend age-old tenancy laws, was sent to jail on Friday under judicial custody after he was arrested for allegedly posting inflammatory statements against the chief minister and the Sangh Parivar, accusing them of being anti-minorities.

Samir Kullu (33), who is a music teacher in Chandigarh, was picked up on Thursday night by Ranchi cyber police from his Purulia Road residence.

"An FIR was lodged against him on December 20 last year on the basis of which he was arrested. He was sent to judicial custody y and sent to Birsa Munda Central Jail. He was arrested on the basis of material and electronic evidence to show that he was repeatedly posting hate messages on social media," said SP CID Sunil Bhaskar.

An FIR was lodged against Kullu under several sections of IPC, including 53A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 298A (hurting religious feelings of any person), 469A (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 501A (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), 503A (threat to another with injury to any person, reputation or property), 504A (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 505A (causing mischief through statement) and 505C (inciting any class or community of persons to commit offences against any other class or community).

This apart, sections 66, 66(E) and 67 of the IT Act were also slapped against him.

Kullu, a native of Simdega, is associated with Jharkhand Bachao Andolan Manch and has taken part in several agitations against CNT and SPT amendment bill. He had come to Ranchi a fortnight ago to take part in meetings. He is also said to be close to former HRD minister and JVM leader Bandhu Tirkey.

Deepa Minz, an associate of Kullu, said she was shocked to know about his arrest. "He is a tribal rights activist and is concerned about the plight of tribals and the way tribal society has been facing socio-economic alienation. He strongly opposes forces which are dividing tribal society," she said.

But an officer of the cyber police station said Kullu had posted as many as 12 questionable comments on social media sites. "His posts are highly derogatory and aimed at inciting a socio-religious conflict," he alleged, adding that Kullu had admitted to having posted those comments.

When told about the nature of Kullu's posts, senior lawyer of Jharkhand High Court Rajiv Kumar said prima facie they did seem provocative.

"The law regarding freedom of expression is very clear. People have a right to dissent, but if the statement can breach peace then the person concerned is liable to be prosecuted. The problem is that people post certain comments without knowing the legal consequences," he said.

The BJP justified police action, saying there were people who posted inflammatory comments. "However, whoever misuses freedom of expression and tries to divide society must be dealt according to the law. The BJP has never been anti-tribal or anti-minorities," said state BJP spokesperson Pratul Nath Shahdeo.