: Christian Forum President Arun Pannalal arrested over offensive Shivling remark
RAIPUR: In India, religion is deeply connected with the lives, culture, traditions and emotional identity of millions of people. Therefore, when offensive language is used in a public forum regarding a revered deity of any religion, it directly affects the social trust on which a multi-religious civilisation like India has stood for centuries. Following offensive remarks concerning Bhgwan Shiva and the Shivling in Raipur, Chhattisgarh Police have arrested Christian Forum president and pastor Arun Pannalal (75).
According to Civil Lines police station Inspector Yaman Dewangan, his social media remarks hurt Hindu religious sentiments. The case is related to an alleged comment made by Pannalal on a Facebook post by Hansraj Goyal. Commenting on the post concerning Lord Shiva, Pannalal had written: “Why is the Shivling circumcised?” The police have now deemed the comment offensive and taken action. Following his arrest, Arun Pannalal was produced before the court, which sent him to 14 days’ judicial custody.
The matter began with a Facebook post concerning Bhagwan Shiva. According to the complaint, following a post by a Facebook user named Hansraj Goyal, Arun Pannalal allegedly made a comment which the complainant described as highly offensive and indecent towards Bhagwan Shiva and the Shivling. The complaint submitted to the police included the URLs and screenshots of the relevant post and comments.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Amit Chimanani lodged a complaint at the Civil Lines police station. Following this, the police began an investigation and registered a First Information Report (FIR) against pastor Arun Pannalal and Hansraj Goyal under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to the police, the provisions relate to promoting enmity between different communities, deliberate acts intended to hurt religious sentiments, and intentional insult with the purpose of provoking a breach of peace. The police subsequently arrested pastor Arun Pannalal. The court sent him to judicial custody until 21 August.
In this connection, Chhattisgarh Raipur Additional DCP (Central Zone) Tarkeshwar Patel said that the police had begun an investigation after receiving a complaint regarding a post that hurt religious sentiments. With the assistance of technical surveillance, the cyber cell and other police teams, the accused was traced and arrested. Police registered a case against Pannalal and Goyal under Sections 196, 299 and 352(2) (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the official said.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai supported the police action following the arrest of pastor Arun Pannalal. The Chief Minister said that Lord Shiva and the Shivling are major symbols of faith and reverence in Sanatan Dharma and that the offensive remarks concerning them had been taken seriously.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, “He made an offensive remark about Lord Shiva and the Shivling, which are worshipped with reverence in our Sanatan Dharma. An FIR has been registered against him, he has been arrested and action has been taken.” The reaction of Chief Minister Sai is significant from the perspective that the rule of law becomes credible only when it is enforced without being influenced by a person’s identity, position or social status. In a democracy like India, no individual can be granted additional exemption merely because they are associated with a religious or social organisation.
Meanwhile, in Raipur, office-bearers and workers of the Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagran Manch staged a protest outside Pannalal’s residence. A large police contingent was deployed in the area during the protest. The protesters were subsequently persuaded by the police to disperse and return to their homes.
It is noteworthy that Bhagwan Shiva is revered by millions of Hindus. The Shivling is a symbol of deep religious and spiritual faith in the Sanatan tradition. The use of indecent language concerning such symbols is naturally painful for those for whom they are a centre of reverence and spiritual belief.
