Fri Dec 20 17:11:01 UTC 2024: **Delhi High Court Upholds FIR Against DU Professor for Gyanvapi Mosque Post**
NEW DELHI — The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition filed by a Delhi University professor seeking to quash a First Information Report (FIR) against him for an allegedly objectionable social media post regarding the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi. The post, made in May 2022, referenced the presence of a “shiva linga” within the mosque.
Justice Chandra Dhari Singh ruled that the professor’s comments, made under the guise of free speech, prima facie disturbed societal harmony and were intended to hurt religious sentiments. The court emphasized that even academics and intellectuals are not exempt from accountability for such statements, noting the potential for their words to influence others.
The judge cited the deep-seated religious beliefs surrounding the “shiva linga” and stated that the professor’s remarks were contrary to the customs and beliefs of worshippers. The court found that the post not only hurt religious sentiments but also promoted hatred and communal tension. The repeated posting of such comments, even after the FIR was registered, further demonstrated a deliberate and criminal intent, the court asserted.
The FIR was registered under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) of the Indian Penal Code. While the professor was arrested and subsequently granted bail, the court rejected his argument that the absence of widespread unrest negated the criminality of his actions. The court maintained that the intent and potential for creating disharmony, irrespective of its actual occurrence, constituted the offense. The court emphasized the professor’s greater responsibility as an educator and role model.
First Piper 