Civil society and digital rights groups have been vocal in their criticism of this FIR against the 14 year-old social media content creator, Ashwamit Gautam in UP.
“An FIR against a 14-year-old child is not law enforcement. It is fear,” tweeted Ravi, a LinkedIn influencer, highlighting the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government’s role. Supporters, including parody accounts mimicking political figures, shared clips of Gautam critiquing media bias and religious hypocrisy, drawing parallels to historical figures like Bhagat Singh. One widely shared post contrasted Gautam with a 14-year-old promoted as a “spiritual guru,” lamenting: “One asks questions and gets an FIR; the other gets a throne. That’s the caste difference.” Allegations of targeted anti-Dalit caste bias have also been made.
Another post said, “An FIR against a 14-year-old child is not law enforcement. It is fear. The Yogi government filing an FIR against Ashwamit Gautam , a 14-year-old content creator from Lucknow, is deeply disturbing and shameful. This is not about justice this is about a government that cannot tolerate questions.
Ashwamit is not a criminal.
He does not spread violence.
He does not promote hatred.
His only “crime” is that he asks questions about unemployment, inflation, and government policies questions that millions of Indians are already asking.
A 14-year-old boy who speaks with logic, clarity, and courage, making long analytical videos without scripts, reaching lakhs of youth this should have been celebrated in a democracy. Instead, he is being intimidated with an FIR.
Why?
Because he is young, Dalit, and fearless.
Power is not scared of criminals; it is scared of awareness. It is scared of a generation that refuses to stay silent. Vague FIR language, no clear sections disclosed, no transparency this is nothing but using law as a weapon to spread fear.
The message is loud and clear: “If you question the government, you will be punished even if you are a child.”
This is not just an attack on freedom of expression. It exposes caste and class bias. Would the same action be taken if this child was spreading hate or praising those in power? We all know the answer.
Criticism is not anti-national. Questioning the government is a constitutional right. If a 14-year-old is asking tough questions, the government should reflect not repress.
FIR instead of encouragement.
Fear instead of dialogue.
This is not strength this is insecurity.
History teaches us one thing: governments that silence voices never last. Children who speak the truth may be targeted, but they are never erased.
Stand with Ashwamit Gautam
Silencing a child exposes the weakness of power, not the crime of the child.”
Hero Ashwamit gautham 💙
At just 14, Ashwamit stands tall.
A Dalit boy with courage beyond his years, questioning power and speaking truth to authority. pic.twitter.com/TybtmlhICz— VoiceOfMadiga-ಮಾದಿಗ ಧ್ವನಿ® (@JaiBhimMadiga) January 19, 2026
Ashwamit Gautam, 14-year-old content creator who was pointing out the need for basic things like education, good roads, clean water, electricity & clean air is NOW facing FIR.
While that superstitious human samosa is getting awards from Union Minister/Ethanol Billionaire. pic.twitter.com/rfsFf7qa3D
— Dr Ranjan (@AAPforNewIndia) January 18, 2026
एक 14 साल के लड़के की आवाज़ से डर गई सरकार FIR तक पहुंच गई,
⁰आश्वामित गौतम लखनऊ का वो क्रांतिकारी बच्चा जो अंबेडकर भगत सिंह और चे ग्वेरा को पढ़ता है l।इतनी कम उम्र में सरकार और सिस्टम से सवाल पूछता है।
⁰इंस्टाग्राम पर 666K फॉलोवर्स हैं बेहतरीन कंटेंट पोस्ट करते हैं आश्वामित… pic.twitter.com/LlCce5AJvu— Ankit Yadav (@Ankitydv92) January 14, 2026
FIR
The FIR was reportedly lodged by the Lucknow police citing concerns over Gautam’s online activities. Police authorities have not disclosed the specific legal sections invoked or identified the complainant. Sources familiar with the matter say the case relates to content perceived as critical of the state administration says Deshambhini.
The young 14 year old, Gautam has built a substantial following on social media through long-form analytical videos discussing rising inflation and the cost of living, unemployment among young people, widening social inequality, and issues affecting the Dalit community. His unscripted videos have gained traction among youth audiences across Uttar Pradesh.
The decision of the UP administration to initiate legal action against a minor has drawn sharp criticism from civil society members, digital rights activists, and opposition leaders. Many have questioned the intent behind filing an FIR against a child for political expression, calling it intimidation rather than law enforcement.
Supporters argue that Gautam has neither incited violence nor promoted hatred, and that his content is protected under the constitutional right to freedom of expression. They maintain that questioning government policy on employment, inflation, and social justice is a legitimate democratic exercise, not a criminal offence.
Other critics of his content have described his rhetoric as provocative and potentially disruptive to social harmony, a justification rights groups say is increasingly used to silence dissenting voices.
Several activists have also alleged caste and class bias, noting that Gautam belongs to the Dalit community. They have questioned whether similar action would have been taken if the content praised those in power.
The lack of transparency surrounding the FIR has further fuelled concern. “When the state responds to criticism from a child with police action instead of dialogue, it raises serious questions about democratic tolerance,” a digital rights advocate said.
To date, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has not issued an official statement on the case.
Related:
The Price of Dissent: In India, demanding accountability in times of grief must toe the line
Dissent Under Siege: Police action, suspensions, and the shrinking democratic space at TISS