India: Hindu leader Maharaj arrested for insulting Mahatma Gandhi
Kalicharan Maharaj, a Hindu leader, has been arrested following allegations that he abused revered political leader Mahatma Gandhi.
The arrest was carried out on Thursday by the Chhattisgarh Police. Mr Maharaj was apprehended from the neighbouring city of Madhya Pradesh, four days after a complaint had been registered against him for allegedly abusing Mahatma Gandhi.
Mr Maharaj, who was a guest at the ‘Dharam Sansad’ organised in Raipur between December 25 and 26, allegedly abused Mahatma Gandhi and hailed Nathuram Godse for killing him. An First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him under IPC Sections 505(2) and 294 on Sunday night based on a complaint by Congress leader Pramod Dubey.
Around 20 religious leaders participated in the two-day event, with some making speeches asking “Sanatani Hindus” to arm themselves. However, it is Mr Maharaj’s comments that drew the attention with the security personnel after the FIR had been filed.
The Indian Express notes that if convicted, Mr Maharaj faces close to five years in jail. Charges will be made after the police completes its investigation.
The speech given by Mr Maharaj also saw a complaint registered in Maharastra’s Akola district as well.
On Tuesday, the Pune city police booked Mr Maharaj for allegedly giving hate speech during the ‘Shivpratap Din’ programme held in Pune on December 19.
The news of Mr Maharaj’s arrest drew comments from Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who claimed the Chhattisgarh Police breached inter-state protocol by arresting Mr Maharaj without giving information about it to the local police.
Mr Gandhi was an Indian lawyer who led his country to freedom from British colonial rule in 1947 deploying nonviolent resistance. He was assassinated months later at age 78. His philosophy of nonviolence granted him world acclaim with many civil rights leaders around the world drawing inspiration from his methods.
Hindu is India’s dominant religion, accounting for about 80 per cent of the country’s population, per Wikipedia.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Praises, knocks as Abia residents react to Nigeria at 66
The residents, however, expressed hope that with good and honest leadership, Nigeria could still reach its potential.
States
2027: Aiyedatiwa urges violence-free, issue-based electoral engagement
Mr Aiyedatiwa noted that political differences are natural in a democracy but should not undermine the bonds that unite Nigerians.
Heading 5
FG launches digital postcode system to boost businesses, emergency response
The digital postcode will provide a standard reference for locations.
NationWide
Tinubu plunged Nigeria into severe cost of living crisis; yet presiding over waste, corruption, says Atiku
Mr Atiku said Mr Tinubu failed the two major tests on security and economy.
States
Bandits invade Kaduna community, kill resident, abduct nine
The attack came a few days after suspected bandits invaded a nearby Kadaure community, where a man was reportedly killed and cows were rustled.
States
Ibrahim Bagangida varsity lecturers suspend strike
Mr Audu told the Peoples Gazette on Thursday that the strike was suspended on during congress.
