Complaints lodged against Vishal Dadlani, Tehseen Poonawalla

Four city residents have lodged a complaint at Chembur police station against musician Vishal Dadlani and social activist Tehseen Poonawalla for their controversial comments on Jain monk Tarun Sagar. The complainants alleged the duo had hurt the religious sentiments of the Jain community.

Sagar on Saturday attended the Haryana Assembly in the nude and spoke about Pakistan, Haryana’s skewed sex ratio and the duties of a wife. While those present in the Assembly welcomed him, Twitterati opposed the same and said Sagar being allowed to mix religion and governance was against India’s secular stand.

While Mr Dadlani later apologised, four Mumbai residents — Kushal Mehra, Dr Dhairya Roy, Shivendra Chauhan and Mukul Agarwal —approached the Chembur police on Sunday to lodge a complaint against Mr Dadlani. “We don’t have a problem with freedom of speech, but we have an issue with extremists of freedom. Also, partial freedom of speech is a big issue. If Kamal Mishra can be punished for making comments against Islam and Christianity, why is it that we ignore those who speak against other religions ” said Mr Agarwal.

The complaint letter, which was submitted to the Chembur police station, states, “Both of them have made targeted comments about the Jain community’s religious beliefs and thus have deeply hurt its sentiments. Such an act of hatred... will create law and order problems... and these intentional derogatory tweets have caused widespread anger in the Jain community and a certain section of society.” The complainants have also alleged that Mr Dadlani and Mr Poonawala should be booked under sections 153 (a) and 295 (a) of the Indian Penal Code.

The music director also expressed his views on Twitter and said, “That dude has the same education, as he has clothes on. None. I’ve no problem with nudity. I have a problem with religion in governance.” Mr Poonawalla made similar comments.

Shahaji Umap, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 6, confirmed that they had received a written complaint. “We will investigate the matter and decide whether an FIR needs to be lodged,” he said.