ARRESTED by the Nirmal police for delivering hate speeches, MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi was remanded to 14 days judicial custody by a local court and lodged in Adilabad district jail, about 80 kms from here. While producing the legislator before Nirmal munsif magistrate K Ajesh Kumar , the cops slapped five new charges against Akbaruddin including 295 A (maliciously insulting the religion or religious beliefs of any class), 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 124 A (sedition).
The police charged that while recording his statement , Akbaruddin was evasive in his replies to pointed queries and on a couple of occasions, claimed his statements were misunderstood by those who filed charges against him.
Judge on lessons in religious harmony
Wondering whether MIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi, who survived a murder attempt on his life on account of various medical and spiritual efforts including scores of prayers for his well-being by the people of the country, is using such a precious life to instigate people to take away equally precious lives, said Justice L Narasimha Reddy of the AP High Court.
Elaborating on the peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims in country, Justice Narasimha Reddy recounted the story of a Muslim girl in Guntur district who won an award for her proficiency in Vemana Satakam, the famous Telugu poetry that teaches the importance of ethics in life. When the organizers of the function offered her an alternative prize instead of the portrait of Lord Rama as a momento, that was already kept ready for the first prize winner, her mother insisted that the girl would take the portrait of Maryada Purushottama Rama. That was the level of mutual reverence and respect both the communities had in the country, the judge said.
The image of hatred portrayed by the legislator through his speech was in sharp contrast with the general image of Indian Muslims who never sponsored such needless hatred, the judge observed. The judge also reminded the legislator that he is being defended by two Ramas i.e, former Advocate General Sitarama Murthy and Ramaschandraraju, his defence counsels. Both bore the name of the Hindu deity.
The senior counsel urged the court to restrain the authorities from registering several FIRs in the same case.
The judge sought to know from the counsel as to how that was possible now if people from various states see the hate speech on YouTube and filed cases in their respective areas. “I myself saw it on YouTube,” the judge said and observed that the legislator was indeed instigating Muslims to kill others. The judge also said”it appears he wants to take revenge for Kasab’s death.
“He made several derogatory remarks against Hindu gods and this is the respect he has for the land that has made him, his father and brother legislators,” the judge said. He further added the man (Akbaruddin) who had bright future in politics now dug his own grave through his hate speech. The petitioner has thrown a cahllenge to the nation by derogating Lord Ram. The judge also said,” when he was attacked, all sections of the people prayed for Akbar’s health and hoped he will mend his ways and repent for his speech.
In another but related development, a two-judge vacation bench refused to entertain a writ petition seeking a ban on the airing of the hate speech of Akbaruddin Owaisi on YouTube and other social networking sites. The bench comprising Justice L Narsimha Reddy and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar dismissed a public interest writ petition filed by NVSJ Rama Rao asking for a ban on airing the hate speech on parts on the ground that it promoted communal disharmony.
