Ratan Lal, a Delhi
University professor, was given bail after being arrested for a post at the
Gyanvapi Mosque.
Digital Desk: On
Saturday, a Delhi court granted bail to Delhi University professor Ratan Lal,
who was arrested on Friday over a social media post allegedly intended to
offend religious beliefs following the alleged discovery of a
"Shivling" inside the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi, on the
condition that he post a bond of Rs 50,000 and provide surety in the same
amount. Lal was taken to the Tis Hazari Court, where he was given bail.
On the basis of a
complaint filed by a Delhi-based lawyer, a FIR was registered against Lal, a
Hindu College associate professor, on Tuesday night. Advocate Vineet Jindal
filed a complaint alleging that the professor had lately tweeted a
"derogatory, inflammatory, and provocative tweet about the Shivling."
He was charged under
Indian Penal Code Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on
the basis of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and
doing acts prejudicial to maintaining harmony) and 295A (promoting enmity
between different groups on the basis of religion, race, place of birth,
residence, language (deliberate act to outrage religious feelings of any class
by insulting its religion).
Left-wing activists
from the All India Students Association (AISA) protested outside Delhi
University's Arts Faculty on Saturday against the arrest of a Hindu College
associate professor.
"Stop attacking
our teachers," "Stop stifling democratic voices," and
"Release professor Ratan Lal" were among the posters raised by the
student demonstrators.
During the protest,
there was a large police presence. In addition to the district police, four
companies from an outside force, including women, have been sent, according to
authorities.
Lal had previously stated that he had simply asked a question as a history student. "Anything can cause harm to people." Academic debate cannot be ignored because of perceived harm. I had just inquired as to whether the so-called shivling was broken or cut. Mullahs and Pandits don't have to say anything about it. "This question should be answered by an art historian," Lal replied.
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