Plea against Mayawati: Court directs complainant to approach authorities for prosecution sanction

A Delhi court on Wednesday directed a person to approach the authorities concerned for requisite sanction on his plea seeking registration of an FIR against BSP supremo Mayawati for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by comparing herself to Lord Rama.

Metropolitan Magistrate Puneet Nagpal directed the complainant to approach the Distict Magistrate in order to get the sanctions from Uttar Pradesh and the central governments to prosecute Mayawati.

It has now posted the matter for further hearing on July 31.

The plea has referred to Mayawati's affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in which she said that if the ruling party in UP can make an idol of Lord Rama in Ayodhya measuring 221 metres by using government funds, then why can't she get her own idol made.

It alleged that through her "sarcastic comments" in the affidavit, Mayawati has attempted to prompt disharmony or feelings of enmity, hurt or ill-will between different religious communities.

"It is a clear cut preplanned conspiracy for disrespecting a religion with a view to take undue advantage for polarisation and satisfying some other religion and she wanted to create disharmony between communities," claimed the plea filed by Chatter Singh Rachhoya, general secretary of All India Raiger Mahasabha.

The former chief minister had on April 2 told the apex court that the present BJP-ruled UP government has initiated construction of a 221 metre high Lord Rama statues in Ayodhya at the cost of state exchequer.

She said this in an affidavit filed in response to a plea which has alleged that about Rs 2,000 crore was used from the state budget for 2008-09 and 2009-10, when Mayawati was the chief minister, for installing her statues and BSP's symbol, elephant, at different places.

The plea before the trial court has sought directions to the Delhi police to register an FIR under sections 153 A (promoting enmity on grounds of religion) and 295 A (insult to religion or religious beliefs deliberately) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other sections of law.

The petitioner alleged that he had submitted a written complaint against the BSP leader at the Nangloi police station but no action has been taken yet.

The plea claimed that the political leader compared herself with Lord Rama deliberately and with malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of Hindus.

"Due to these type of comments passed by the accused, communal stress may occur in society. It was totally against the sentiments of the Hindu community," it said.