Controversial comments on Gandhi: Kalicharan Maharaj denied bail

Raipur, Jan 3: A sessions court in Raipur in Chhattisgarh on Monday rejected the bail plea of Hindu religious leader Kalicharan Maharaj over derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi.

The court of XII Additional District and Sessions Judge Raipur Vikram Pratap Chandra refused to grant bail to Kalicharan Maharaj's bail, said Public Prosecutor K K Shukla. The self-styled godman was arrested by a Raipur police team on Thursday from a rented room near Bageshwar Dham, some 25 kilometres from Khajuraho town in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.

He was booked by Tikrapara police station on December 26 under sections 505 (2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) and 294 (obscene acts) here for allegedly using derogatory words against Mahatma Gandhi. Later, police added 124 A (sedition) and four other sections of the IPC in the case.

Amid a political slugfest over the arrest of Kalicharan, senior BJP leader from Madhya Pradesh, Kailash Vijayvargiya called for "a bit of liberal approach" towards seers.

"I feel that no one should give inappropriate statements against saints. Guarded language should be used regarding them," PTI quoted the senior BJP leader as saying.

"One needs to have a bit of liberal (approach) towards seers," Vijayvargiya said without naming Kalicharan.

He criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, leaders of Aam Aadmi Party and Left parties, saying, "They have patted the people who had raised anti-national slogans like 'Bharat tere tukde honge, Inshallah, Inshallah'". "You all (Opposition) patted the back of those who talk of splitting India, and if someone speaks out his heart then his right to speak is not safeguarded," the BJP leader said. PTI