An office bearer of a Chhattisgarh Christian Forum was arrested in Raipur following a complaint by a BJP spokesperson on Saturday said police. The complaint was filed for posting offensive, objectionable comment on Hindu Lord Shiva on social media.
A case was registered under sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 352(2) (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Accused identified as Arun Panna Nal, allegedly posted highly objectionable comment on a Facebook post of user Hansraj Goyall. He was arrested late Friday night following a complaint lodged by BJP spokesperson Amit Chimnani at the Civil Lines police station, said a police official.Complaint spokesperson included the URLs and subreddit screenshots of the post and comments to the police, the official said.
The complainant alleged that the comments hurt the sentiment of the followers of Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma and that they were made in an intention to promote hatred and enmity between different communities, disturbing peace and public order.
According to the FIR, the primary accused, Hansraj Goyal, allegedly posted controversial remarks on his Facebook profile questioning Hindu sacred beliefs and naming multiple deities, including Lord Shiva, Ram, Krishna, Vishnu, Hanuman, Indra, Brahma and Ganesh.
The situation deteriorated further when another user, Arun Pannalal, reportedly thr president of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, posted an allegedly offensive comment on the thread regarding religious traditions.
Meanwhile, Bajrang Dal workers and leaders staged a protest at Pannalal’s house in Raipur on Friday night. A heavy police deployment was made in the area during the protest.