Ashwamit Gautam, a 14-year-old social media content creator from Uttar Pradesh, faces legal action over his online videos. Police in Lucknow registered a case against him in mid-January 2026, sparking debate about free speech and child rights.
Who Is Ashwamit Gautam?
Gautam is a teenager from Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh who creates social media content while attending school. He has built a substantial following on Instagram, with reports indicating between 700,000 and 2 million followers.
He identifies as a “conscious citizen” rather than a journalist or politician. His videos focus on issues affecting marginalized communities, particularly Dalit and lower-caste groups. He draws inspiration from historical figures including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, and Periyar E.V. Ramasamy.
What Does He Create?
Gautam makes unscripted videos about everyday struggles in India. He discusses unemployment, rising prices, poor infrastructure, and social inequality. His content covers dilapidated government schools, substandard meals, pothole-riddled roads, water shortages, power cuts, and pollution.
The teenager films in simple settings, often walking on rural roads with just a smartphone. He speaks directly to the camera in an unpolished style that resonates with young viewers. His videos simplify complex socio-political issues into short, relatable content that gets shared widely on WhatsApp and X.
What Happened?
The legal trouble began around January 15, 2026. A clip from one of Gautam’s videos was edited and shared widely on X. Authorities considered the content inflammatory and claimed it disturbed social harmony.
Police invoked Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code, which penalizes acts intended to outrage religious feelings. However, Gautam later clarified that no formal FIR was filed against him personally. Instead, police detained him under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which allows preventive detention without a warrant.
The detention happened at Gautam’s home in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow police carried out the action. As a minor, Gautam was released quickly after detention.
His elder brother, who was not involved in content creation, faced harsher consequences. He was held in custody for 24 hours and now must report to the local magistrate’s office for six months.
Why the Controversy?
Civil society groups and digital rights activists have criticized the police action. They argue that taking legal action against a child amounts to intimidation rather than law enforcement. Supporters say Gautam’s content is protected under constitutional rights to free speech.
Critics point to possible caste bias. Gautam belongs to the Dalit community. Activists question whether authorities would take similar action against a child from a different background, especially if the content praised those in power.
Social media erupted with support. Hashtags like #AshwamitGautam and #StandWithAshwamit trended nationally. Users from different political backgrounds expressed solidarity with the teenager.
Some people argue that Gautam’s rhetoric is provocative in a polarized environment. They say his videos could disrupt social harmony. Digital rights groups counter that this argument is increasingly used to silence dissenting voices.
What Did Gautam Say?
The teenager described the psychological impact of the detention. He said he could not sleep and needed medication. He felt constant fear. The hardest part was watching his brother suffer consequences for his actions.
After his release, Gautam thanked supporters and vowed to continue making content. He said the experience taught him that freedom of speech requires constant struggle. He continues posting videos despite the restrictions on his brother.
The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has not issued an official statement about the case.
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