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

Students protest outside Arts Faculty.

(Photo: The Quint)

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.

Students protest outside Arts Faculty.

Students protest outside Arts Faculty.

Students protest outside Arts Faculty.

SFI & AISA members protest outside Cyber Crime PS.

SFI & AISA members protest outside Cyber Crime PS.

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.