Tuesday, January 28, 2025, saw the filing of a case against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at the Muzaffarpur court of Bihar, alleging that his remarks offended Hindu sensitivities.
A complaint has been filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate court by advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha of the Muzaffarpur civil court. The date of the hearing is February 3.
Mr. Ojha claimed that Mr. Kharge had used Sanatani Hindu sentiments for his own political ends. The Congress leader had claimed at a rally in Mau, Madhya Pradesh, that dipping in the Ganga did neither end poverty or satisfy hunger. Mr. Ojha had attempted to submit a formal complaint against Mr. Kharge.
"Mr. Kharge's remarks have offended the religious feelings of millions of Hindus and Sanatani. According to Sections 352, 302, and 298 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, I have filed a case against him in court, and the court has accepted it," Mr. Ojha stated.
Intentionally insulting someone in a way that causes a breach of peace is covered by Section 352 of the BNS. This offense has a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a fine, or both.
In contrast, Section 302 addresses the intentional act of offending someone's religious sentiments. It declares that anyone who willfully offends someone's religious feelings through words, sounds, gestures, or object placement faces consequences. Additionally, Section 298 addresses the penalties for intentionally offending a religion by destroying or defiling a house of worship or holy item.
On Monday, January 27, 2025, Mr. Kharge asserted that BJP leaders were vying for the cameras at the Sangam and questioned whether their actions would contribute to the eradication of poverty in the nation.
The head of Congress, however, firmly stated that he did not wish to offend anyone's faith and that he was sorry if anyone was offended. Additionally, he claimed that BJP leaders were dipping into the Ganga and spending a lot of money till they received favorable TV channel coverage.