Complaint against Salman Khurshid for drawing comparisons between Hindutva to ISIS, Boko Haram

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A complaint has been filed before Delhi Police against senior Congress leader and former law minister Salman Khurshid for allegedly comparing Hindutva to radical jihadist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram in his recently released book. 

Asking the Delhi Police to lodge an FIR in the matter, the complainant, Advocate Vineet Jindal has alleged that by making the concerned statement in his book, Khurshid has committed offences under sections 153,153A ,298 and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code.

As per the complaint copy, in his book “Sunrise over Ayodhya: Nationhood in our times", Khurshid has made the inciting and defamatory comment in a chapter called "The Saffron Sky.

In his new book on page number 113, Khurshid has stated, 

"Sanatan dharma and classical Hinduism known to sages and saints were being pushed aside by a robust version of Hindutva, by all standards a political version similar to the jihadist Islam of groups like ISIS and Boko Haram of recent years."

The complainant has alleged that this statement is not only instigating and provoking but also stirring enraged emotions among the Hindu religion followers.

He has contended that Khurshid's such statement shows his intent of waging war and activating enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion which is against the ideology of a secular democratic country like India and also a criminal offence as per the law of the land.

Adding that Indian constitution provides every citizen freedom of speech and expression, the complainant has contended that the misuse of this right is inexplicable.

He has argued that when such freedom is exercised to threaten the honor and harmony of the country and for provoking its citizens based on community and religion and further threatens the security of the nation then it is considered as a grave offence.

He has averred that Khurshid's comparison of Hinduism to ISIS and Boko haram is a quite aggravating and defamatory statement for the whole Hindu community and also questions their values and virtues about a society.

Therefore, the complainant advocate has argued that being a member of Parliament & former Law Minister of India Salman is a public figure, having a larger influence on the public and his this statement is agitating the Hindu community and also threatens the security, peace and harmony of our nation and disrupt public order.