Social media icon Vikas Phatak, popularly known as Hindustani Bhau was recently
arrested by police officials in Mumbai for allegedly insinuating students to protest.

The 42-year-old YouTuber had urged
students to gather around the residence of Varsha Gaikwad, the education
minister of Maharashtra, to protest against offline examinations for classes 10 and
12.

A statement by ANI read, “social
media influencer Vikas Phatak, also known as ‘Hindustani Bhau’, has been
arrested by the Dharavi Police in connection with the students’ protest in
Dharavi yesterday over their demand for online exams for classes 10th &
12th, in view of Covid-19. FIR has been registered against Phatak and others.”

Also Read: Budget 2022: Expectations from different sectoral Indices

After insinuating students to
show up, several pupils protested on Monday at Ashok Mill Naka. The group was
charged with a mild baton charge to stop their entry into the minister’s household
premises.

The protesting students stated
their disapproval of offline board exams, because they had been studying online during
the pandemic.

Also Read: Budget 2022 live updates: FM Nirmala Sitharaman to present Union Budget today

Initial investigation suggests that Hindustani Bhau had instigated protests via his social media handles.

According to India Today, a police official held the
YouTuber accountable for the mob of student protestors. 

Pranay Ashok, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone V, added,
“action will be taken as per the law against anyone responsible for instigating
students”.

Also Read: Budget 2022: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to boost spending to aid economic growth

Another police official revealed
that Hindustani Bhau had visited the Dharavi police station to ask police
officials not to arrest or restrict students from gathering around the minister’s
residence.

In a video uploaded on
YouTube, Hindustani Bhau showed disapproval of offline exams, expressing the two
years long ongoing ordeal of the pandemic. He stated, “Exams cancel karo. bacho ke jaan ke
sath mt khelo warna hoga fir se andolan (cancel the exams. Don’t play with children’s lives
or else there’ll be a protest)”.

The 6-minute-long video was uploaded on January 24, 2022 and
has racked up over 277,000 views.