A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national convenor of the sport’s cell, Ashok Aggarwal, on Friday in Aligarh allegedly for trying to hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslim community by posting a photo of ‘Kaaba Sharif’ (Saudi Arabia) on his Facebook page on Thursday wherein he has added a Shivling and an idol of Lord Shiva.
While Mr. Aggarwal claims he has “never posted anything to the effect,’’ Jasim Mohammad, secretary of the Millat Bedari Muhim Committee (MBMC), Aligarh, has lodged an FIR at the Civil Lines Police Station, demanding legal action against him.
The FIR has been registered and the police are investigating the case.
“Mr. Aggarwal, a resident of Rajpura Road, Civil Lines, Delhi, through this post, which has been shared and commented upon, has hurt the Muslims’ sentiments. Kaaba Sharif is a holy place for Muslims where each year, lakhs go there for performing Haj and Umrah. The photo may damage the communal harmony and peace not only in the country but worldwide,” said Mr. Mohammad.
Confirming that a FIR has been registered in the case, a senior police official in Aligarh said, “We have initiated an enquiry into the matter. A case has been registered under Section 66-A of the amended Information Technology Act, 2000.”
Stating that there is no merit in the case, Mr. Aggarwal said, “The picture has not been posted on my account even for a second.” Lawyer Pavan Duggal explained that sending any information from a computer or mobile phone, which is grossly offensive, is an offence, and even if it is subsequently taken off that doesn’t reduce the nature of offence.
