Delhi Police arrests DU Professor Ratan Lal for objectionable post on Gyanvapi Shivling

Days after registering a complaint against Dr Ratan Lal, a professor of History at Delhi University for hurting religious sentiments, Delhi police arrested him on Friday. arrest came following massive outrage on Ratan Lal's offensive social media post wherein he wrote objectionable remarks directed at Shivling which was found inside Gyanvapi mosque complex during a court-ordered survey.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) North, Sagar Singh Kalsi, Delhi University professor Ratan Lal was arrested for allegedly making an objectionable post on Facebook intended to hurt religious feelings. case was registered against Lal under sections 153A and 295A of Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Cyber Police Station North District and an investigation has been launched. " arrest of Dr Ratan Lal, Professor of History at Hindu College, DU, is effective from May 20, under FIR no. 50/22 & under sections 153A/295A IPC," Cyber Police Station reported according to ANI.

Following Ratan Lal's arrest, Students' Federation of India (SFI), as well as All India Students Association (AISA), protested and blocked ro outside Cyber PS, North District, demanding his release. members of se organisations raised slogans and carried protest cards in support of Lal stating that he was detained illegally. 

It is pertinent to mention here that on May 17, Delhi police received a complaint against Ratan Lal regarding a deliberate and malicious post on Facebook intended to infuriate religious feelings by insulting a religion/religious beliefs. Ever since objectionable post was shared, Ratan Lal, who works as an Associate Professor of History at Hindu College, Delhi, has been facing massive outrage from netizens, many of whom raised alarm over insights he shared with his students with this mindstate. Many, while responding strongly to post, also tagged Twitter handle of Delhi Police, demanding action.

Gyanvapi mosque survey

While debates continue to prevail over discovery of a 'Shivling' from Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, two sides of discussions have surfaced where Hindu petitioners are celebrating discovery while ors have refuted claims, stating it is a fountain.

Meanwhile, launching a counter-attack on fountain claims levelled by Muslim side, Kulpati Tiwari, a Hindu seer, who is a priest at Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath temple, has reiterated discovery of a 'Shivling' inside mosque stating that "it is not a fountain, but a Shivling'. Speaking exclusively to Republic TV, Mahant of Kashi Vishwanath, Kulpati Tiwari also expressed anguish over denial of existence of a 'Shivling' and called it shocking that "one needs proof of God's existence". "This is an insult to God", he furr ded, noting that court has formed a committee to probe matter.

On or hand, Supreme Court of India has also issued an order asking all nine parties including Uttar Presh government to keep Shivling 'protected', while Muslims can continue prayers inside complex.