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Synopsis

In a recent development, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court last week dismissed a plea from Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya seeking direction to quash legal proceedings in a Pratapgarh district court concerning the case of remarks against Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas.

The bench, on perusal of the chargesheet and other pieces of evidence on record, found sufficient grounds to establish a prima facie case against him. Consequently, it ruled that Maurya should proceed to trial in the lower court.

Swami Prasad Maurya had contended that the case against him was politically motivated and lacked substantial evidence. He had submitted that it would be unjust for him to face a trial in these circumstances.

However, the bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi opined that public representatives should refrain from actions that could disrupt communal harmony.

Regarding the allegations against Maurya that he had interpreted a 'chaupayi' of Manas that it was offensive to women, Dalits, tribals and backward-class people, court said, 

"As far as the learned counsel for the applicant says that the applicant had not said anything false while quoting the verses from Shri Ram Charit Manas, this is the opinion of the court that the statements made in any book/record should be read and kept in the right perspective and citing any part from anywhere without complete relevant facts is not a completely true statement. And in some circumstances, such a statement may also be a false statement. For example, any law or legal provision or judicial decision is always read in its entirety and no part of the provisions of the law or judicial decision can be presented without all its relevant provisions. Similarly, when someone from Shri Ram Charit Manas quotes a Chaupai, it is essential that it is also kept in mind which character said it to which person in which situation."

The Chaupayi said by the applicant 'Dhol Gawar Sudra Pasu Nari, Sakal Taadna Ke Adhikari' was said by Samudra (Ocean) to Shri Ramchandra ji with the intention that he himself is a dull-witted person and for this reason he is apologizing for the mistake committed, the court emphasised.

"In such a situation, when a statement made by a character who considers himself an idiot is presented without reference to all the relevant facts, it cannot be called a true distortion of the truth," the bench stated.

Further court held that prima facie it appeared that Maurya incited people to incite rebellion.

"Due to the above acts, Shri Ram Charit Manas, which is considered a holy book by a large section, was damaged and insulted by burning it," court added while rejecting Muarya's plea.

Former UP Minister Maurya is facing allegations of advocating for a ban on specific verses of the Ramcharitmanas, which he claimed to be insulting to a significant portion of society. A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against him, Samajwadi Party MLA Dr. RK Verma and others under Sections 153, 295, 298, 505 of the Indian Penal Code. 

The FIR stated that in the aftermath of his comments, several leaders nationwide collectively endorsed the burning of Ramcharitmanas copies. They were also reported to have employed abusive language, derogatory remarks, and indecent expressions aimed at devotees of Manas. These actions contributed to the emergence of a climate marked by public anger and unease, fostering sentiments of animosity and hostility among different segments of the Hindu faith.

Case Title: Swami Prasad Maurya v. State of UP and Another