A social media influencer, Maroof Raza Khan, has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly over remarks about Hindu deities that police said hurt religious sentiments.
A video of Khan has circulated on social media in which he discusses the Islamic concept of monotheism and responds to a comment about Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.
Police Arrest Influencer
According to reports, Bareilly Police arrested Khan following a complaint over his remarks. He was subsequently sent to jail.
In the video, Khan refers to the Quranic concept that Allah has no children and says that Allah is the creator of the universe.
Responding to a comment mentioning Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, Khan is heard saying, “You are taking the names of Shri Krishna and Ram. They are not God; they were human beings.”
He further says that they had parents, married and had children.
Remarks Trigger Controversy
The video sparked a controversy on social media, with some users alleging that Khan’s remarks were offensive to Hindu religious beliefs.
A complaint was subsequently filed with the police, following which authorities took action against him on allegations of hurting religious sentiments.
Khan’s supporters, however, have described his remarks as an explanation of the Islamic belief in the oneness of God. They said he was referring to verses from Surah Al-Ikhlas, particularly the belief that Allah neither has children nor is the child of anyone.
Police Investigation Underway
Police have taken action based on the complaint and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the video and the statements attributed to Khan.
The exact charges and other details of the case were not immediately clear from the information available.
