As the police crack down on a slew of images and videos that could potentially provoke communal violence in West Bengal, another incident has come to the fore.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ‘vicharak’ and DU professor Rakesh Sinha has been booked for trying to incite communal hatred in West Bengal, which is already in a state of turmoil, the India Today reported.
In a Twitter post, Sinha had uploaded an image on July 9, which showed his mother offering prayers at the Mahakal temple, Ujjain. After the case was filed on July 12, Sinha has been booked under several non-bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The DU professor claims that the complaint is an attempt to stifle the voice of dissent.
Sinha told Mail Today, “Mamata has now started chasing her critiques outside the state. The FIR mentioned of a photo which incited violence. In the last three months, I have posted three photos: one performing puja at Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain along with my mother; another where the President of India was presenting an award to me; and lastly, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat releasing a book on Narendra Modi. Do these photos incite violence? Mamata is afraid of my research-based criticism of her communal social philosophy.”
Sinha also posted a response on Twitter against the FIR
According to Kolkata lawyer Brajesh Jha, who is representing Sinha, the complainant – Manoj Kumar Singh – called his post ‘provocative’.
“We are moving for anticipatory bail and are also planning to sue the complainant,” he said.
(Feature image source: Twitter)