DU Prof Ratan Lal Held Over 'Objectionable' Post on Gyanvapi; Students Protest

Video Producer: Shohini Bose

Video Editor: Deepthi Ramdas

Nearly four days after a complaint was registered against him, the Delhi Police on Friday, 21 May, arrested Delhi University Professor Ratan Lal, allegedly over an objectionable social media post that the 50-year-old had made in connection with claims of a shivling being found inside Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque.

Police say that Lal, who teaches History at the Delhi University's Hindu College, had allegedly "intended to outrage reli­gious beliefs" in his social media post.

Reacting to Professor Lal's arrest, a group of students protested outside the Arts Faculty at the University of Delhi's North Campus.

Late on Friday night, members of the Students Federation of India and the All India Students Association had staged a protest outside Cyber Police Station in north district, where they blocked the road and held placards demanding his release.

Holding placards, the students called for the immediate release of Professor Lal.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has denied permission to students who have planned protests in the national capital today.

According to the police, Professor Lal was arrested under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and 295A (insult or attempt to insult the religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

False Arrest: Lal's Lawyer

Speaking to news agency ANI, Lal's lawyer Mehmood Pracha alleged that the case registered against the professor was "false."

"A false case was registered against him (Prof Ratan Lal). The FIR & complaint doesn't mention one thing that can be termed as a cognizable offence. Despite that, arrests cannot be made u/s 153A & 295A IPC, police don't have that power."

Mehmood Pracha, Lal's lawyer

Professor Lal's arrest was condemned by many on Twitter.

Professor Ratan Lal has been a voice against communal politics. Yet he is arrested for spreading communal enmity, while the hate spreaders roam free! https://t.co/Cqy8i1g5N9

— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) May 21, 2022

Professor Ratan Lal who teaches at Hindu College and is a prominent voice against Hindutva and Caste has been detained by Delhi Police Cyber cell over his remarks on Shivling. Needless to say that he had said nothing wrong or derogatory which entails any crime under IPC.

— Kawalpreet Kaur (@kawalpreetdu) May 20, 2022

Ratan Lal, an associate professor got arrested for objectionable social media post.
When will SureshChavhanke be arrested for this post ?
Or this post is not objectionable? #Gyanvapi pic.twitter.com/ixq1pTDtXa

— Nigar Parveen (@NigarNawab) May 21, 2022

I strongly condemn the arrest of Delhi University Prof Ratan Lal. Urged the Modi Govt to intervene and release him immediately.@PMOIndia @AmitShahOffice @CPDelhi @PTI_News @AHindinews

— Dr. Udit Raj (@Dr_Uditraj) May 21, 2022