Vishal Dadlani, Congress leader booked over Jain monk remarks

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Police on Monday booked Bollywood music director Vishal Dadlani and Congress leader Tehseen Poonawalla for making "objectionable" remarks against Jain religious leader Tarun Sagar.

Both of them were booked by the police in Haryana's Ambala city, 45 km from here, following complaints received from the members of the Jain community and others.

Dadlani had tweeted against the Jain leader addressing the Haryana assembly on Friday.

Tarun Sagar is a Digambar Jain community monk and the monks in Digambara sect of Jainism do not wear clothes.

Following widespread condemnation, including from Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Dadlani removed his tweet and apologised.

Dadlani and Poonawala have been booked under Sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on religious lines) and 295-A (hurting religious sentiments) of the Indian Penal Code.

Dadlani on Sunday said he quit the AAP on his own after offending the Jain community.

"I apologise again to the Jain Community and all others offended. But I beg you all not to support religion in governance, for India's sake," he added.

Poonawala had supported Dadlani's tweet and was trolled on social media.

A resolution condemning Dadlani and others was moved in the Haryana Assembly on Monday. However, it was not passed following objections from the Opposition.