Can’t ask for relief after poking fun at religion like stand up comedians: Madras HC to evangelist ntc

The Madras High Court, while giving its verdict on a petition, said that no Christian priest can be spared after making fun of a religion by making objectionable remarks against Hindus. The High Court made this observation while hearing the petition of Father P George Ponnaiah. George was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

‘You’re not a stand-up comedian’

The court said that the accused cannot expect laxity after hurting the religious beliefs of others. Also said that he cannot be seen as an ordinary commentator or a stand-up comedian like Munawwar Farooqui. Justice GR Swaminathan made this remark while hearing a petition by Catholic priest George. The petition sought quashing of the FIR lodged against him for his inflammatory speech in Kanyakumari in July last year.

Justice GR Swaminathan observed that “when stand-up comedians Munawwar Farooqui or Alexander Babu perform on stage, they are exercising their fundamental right to make fun of others. Then, their religious identity is irrelevant. “Who? ” and where?” Speaking it matters.

George Ponnaiah accused of making fun of Mother India

Let us inform that the Kanyakumari police had registered a case against Father George Ponnaiah for mocking Hindu worship system and Mother India, creating enmity between two groups and for holding an unlawful assembly during the Kovid epidemic. Ponnaiah had also made critical remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and a state minister during a meeting at Arumanai in Kanyakumari district of the state. Ponnaiah has approached the court seeking quashing of the case registered against him.

Partially dismissing the FIR registered against Ponnaiah, Justice GR Swaminathan said such exemption would be available only to rationalists or satirists or even academics under the Constitution. He said that the petitioner cannot insult the religion or religious beliefs of others.

Bharat Mata was told the source of infection and dirt

The court said – there was absolutely no need to attack the religious beliefs of Hindus. this is unfair. The petitioner mocked those who go out barefoot in reverence to Mother Earth (Bhoomi Devi) while Christians wear shoes so that they do not itch. He portrayed Mother Earth and Mother India as the source of infection and filth.