Delhi University professor held for objectionable post on Gyanvapi Shivling

New Delhi: Delhi University (DU) professor Ratan Lal was arrested on Friday for his objectionable social media post referring to claims about a 'Shivling' found inside Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque.

However, on Saturday, Delhi's Tis Hazari Court granted Ratan bail on furnishing a bond of ₹50,000 and surety on the like amount.

Deputy commissioner of police (north) Sagar Singh Kalsi confirmed the arrest.

"The accused had allegedly posted a photo of the structure and made objectionable comments on Tuesday. Legal action has been initiated in this regard and the investigation has been taken up," he said.

Police said Mr. Lal was arrested under Indian Penal Code sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 295A (deliberate act to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion) by the Cyber Police Station, North.

An FIR was lodged against Mr. Lal on Tuesday night based on a complaint filed by a Delhi-based lawyer.

In his complaint, advocate Vineet Jindal said Mr. Lal had recently shared a "derogatory, inciting and provocative tweet on the Shivling".

The statement made by Mr Lal on his Twitter account is "instigating and provoking", he said in the complaint.

The statement was posted on the issue of a 'Shivling' found in the Gyanvapi mosque complex which is very sensitive in nature and the matter is pending before the court, the lawyer said in his complaint.

Defending his post earlier, Mr Lal had said, "In India, if you speak about anything, someone or the other's sentiment will be hurt. So this is nothing new. I am a historian and have made several observations. As I wrote them down, I have used very guarded language in my post, and still this. I will defend myself."