Gujarat cleric arrested for remarks on 'Navratri'

A Gujarat-based cleric was today arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments of a community, days after he made objectionable comments about 'Navratri', the state's most popular festival.
Maulana Mehdi Hasan, who shot into limelight when he offered a skull cap to then Chief Minister Narendra Modi during his 2011 'Sadbhavna' fast, was taken into custody on the basis of a complaint filed against him at Thasra police station of Kheda district two days back, police said today.
Hasan had reportedly termed 'Navratri' as "a festival of demons".
Kheda Superintendent of Police Sachin Badshah confirmed his arrest.
"We arrested Hasan this evening from his residence in Rustampura village of Thasra taluka of Kheda. He has been booked under Section 295(A) of IPC," he said.

This IPC section deals with deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings of people by insulting their religion and beliefs.

On September 20, in an interview to a local newspaper, Hasan was quoted as saying that Navratri is a "festival of demons as rapists and drunkards used to participate in it."
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had taken strong objection to Hasan's remarks and sought his arrest before the start of 'Navratri' festival, which begins on September 25.
However, Hasan claimed his comments had been taken out of context.
"I said those words with a particular reference. Devils means those who are drunkards and rapists, not everyone who enjoys that festival. I actually drew attention of Hindus to keep such elements away from such religious festivals," he had told PTI on Sunday.

The same day, VHP leader of Thasra Ritesh Suthar lodged a police complaint on the basis of which the cleric was arrested.