'Abusing Gandhi Calls for Sedition, Will Probe Cases on Kalicharan': Maha Govt

'Godman' Kalicharan has been arrested by the Chhattisgarh Police over a speech derogating Mahatma Gandhi.

File image of Religious leader Kalicharan.

(Photo: Screenshot of the video.)

After the Chhattisgarh Police arrested 'godman' Kalicharan Maharaj over his derogatory comments against Mahatma Gandhi, Maharashtra Home Minister, Dilip Walse Patil, on Thursday, 30 December, said that the Maharashtra Police will probe all the cases against him.

"The offence of using derogatory words for Mahatma Gandhi should definitely attract the sedition charge. Maharashtra Police will investigate all cases registered against him and take him in custody."

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, as quoted by news agency ANI

The Pune Police on Tuesday had booked religious leader Kalicharan Maharaj, Hindutva leader Milind Ekbote, and four others for allegedly delivering hate speeches during an event in the Maharashtra city on 19 December.

Dipak Nagpure, a city BJP leader, is also among the accused. The men have been booked under sections 295 (a) (uttering, words, etc, with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person) among others.

Kalicharan's Remarks and His Arrest by Raipur Police

'Sant' Kalicharan, was arrested by Raipur Police on Thursday, days after he made a derogatory speech against Mahatma Gandhi at the Chhattisgarh 'Dharam Sansad.'

In purported videos of the event that have been circulated on social media, 'Sant' Kalicharan could be heard saying:

“They (minorities) seized power through politics here. And the great **** Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi led us to this ruin. Salutations to Godse ji that he killed that ****.”

A case had been filed in relation to the remarks, after a complaint by former Mayor Pramod Dubey, who had attended the event. An FIR was also filed in the case on the complaint of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee President Mohan Markam.

After he was arrested by the Raipur Police from Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, Kalicharan was remanded to police custody till Saturday.