A Muslim cleric Imam Mehdi Hasan was slapped when he was being taken to a local court in Gujarat on Wednesday.The cleric was arrested by the police for making "derogatory and objectionable remarks" on Navaratri hurting religious sentiments.
Video: Maulana gets slapped for hurting religious sentiments
"A man identified as Rakesh slapped and pushed Imam Mehadi Hasan just outside the court when police were taking him to produce before the judicial magistrate," a police official said, adding Rakesh was detained by the police for his action.
The cleric was, meanwhile, sent to 14 days judicial custody after he refused to seek bail in the matter. The cleric had shot to limelight when he had tried to offer a skull cap to the then chief minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi during Modi's Sadbhavna fast in 2011.
{{/usCountry}}The cleric was, meanwhile, sent to 14 days judicial custody after he refused to seek bail in the matter. The cleric had shot to limelight when he had tried to offer a skull cap to the then chief minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi during Modi's Sadbhavna fast in 2011.
{{/usCountry}}Recently, he was quoted by local media describing very popular festival Navratri as "festival of demons" and asked the Muslims to shun its celebrations. After the media reports, he had clarified that his statement was "distorted and he was quoted out of context."
However, Kheda district police arrested him based on a complaint filed against him by a VHP leader based on the media reports.