The Haryana Police have arrested social media influencer Hansira alias Hansi Khan, a resident of the Punhana subdivision in Haryana’s Mewat district, after a controversial video triggered widespread outrage. The arrest followed the registration of a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly using insulting and derogatory language against the Dalit community.
The incident has once again highlighted how content on social media platforms can spread rapidly and create serious consequences when it hurts the sentiments of any community.
The controversy began after a video posted on Facebook went viral. In the clip, Hansi Khan was seen sitting in her car at a petrol pump and allegedly comparing a long CNG queue to the Dalit community in an obscene and derogatory manner. The video was widely shared across social media platforms, triggering anger and condemnation from people across Haryana and beyond.
Members of the Dalit community said the words used in the video were deeply offensive and humiliating. Soon after, a local youth filed a formal complaint, demanding strict action against the influencer for hurting the dignity and sentiments of the community.
Following the complaint, the Punhana City Police Station immediately registered an FIR. A Haryana Police spokesperson confirmed that the case was filed under the SC-ST Act, considering the seriousness of the alleged remarks. The police began an investigation and examined the viral video along with other digital evidence.
As public anger continued to grow, Hansi Khan released an apology video on social media. In the clip, she expressed regret over her statement and claimed she had no intention to hurt anyone. Despite the apology going viral, the police continued legal proceedings, stating that offences under the SC-ST Act are serious and cannot be ignored based on a public apology alone.
Taking into account the sensitive nature of the case and the potential impact on social harmony, the police arrested Hansi Khan and sent her to judicial custody. Officials said further investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of the offence and how widely the video was circulated.
Hansi Khan, also known as Hansira, is a popular social media influencer from Haryana’s Mewat region. She has more than one lakh followers across YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Her online popularity played a role in the rapid spread of the controversial video, which reached thousands of viewers in a short time.
Police authorities have stressed that social media influence does not place anyone above the law. They reiterated that every citizen is expected to respect all communities and maintain dignity in public communication.
The case has once again sparked a broader conversation about responsible content creation and the legal limits of free expression in the digital age.