Hanuman Chalisa controversy: Navneet Rana got a reprimand from Bombay High Court instead of relief, now hope from Supreme Court

Politics about Hanuman Chalisa seems to be costly for Navneet Rana and her husband. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the petition filed by Independent MP from Amravati Navneet Rana for quashing the FIR. While canceling the petition, the court reprimanded the Rana couple, saying that the bigger the power, the bigger the responsibility. Navneet Rana had filed the petition seeking the removal of Section 353 (criminal force or assault to prevent a public servant from discharging duty) of IPC imposed against him by Mumbai Police.

A case was registered against the Rana couple under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (causing hatred in the name of religion, language, etc.) and Section 135 of the Mumbai Police Act (violating prohibitory orders enforced by police). The court has rejected this petition of Navneet Rana. It is reported that now Navneet Rana's lawyer Rizwan Merchant is preparing to approach the Supreme Court regarding this matter. It is worth mentioning that Navneet Rana was arrested by Mumbai Police under IPC section 153A (an attempt to promote enmity between two groups on the ground of religion). Later, 353 was also added to it, which the Rana couple is opposing.

Significantly, on the complaint of Shiv Sainiks, a case of sedition has also been registered against Navneet Rana. Shiv Sainiks say that Matoshree is like a temple for them and the Rana couple has hurt their sentiments. This whole matter started because of trying to read Hanuman Chalisa in front of Matoshree. Navneet Rana and her husband had challenged CM Uddhav Thackeray to recite Hanuman Chalisa or else he would read Hanuman Chalisa in front of Matoshree.

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