A court in West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district has granted conditional bail to a Muslim man arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by climbing a parked Rath (chariot) while wearing shoes and recording a social media reel.
The incident took place in Kalna, two days after the Ulto Rath Yatra. The accused, Babulal Sheikh, a resident of Samudragarh, was arrested after members of the Paschim Nasaratpur Harekrishna Namhatta Sangha filed a complaint, alleging that he danced on the steps of the chariot wearing shoes and later uploaded the video on Facebook.
Arrested over viral social media reel
According to the complaint, the video quickly went viral, triggering anger among a section of local residents and devotees. Based on the FIR, Nadanghat Police arrested Sheikh and booked him under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to promoting enmity between groups and deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
Police produced him before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Kalna, where he was granted bail with conditions.
Court imposes conditions for bail
According to court directions, Sheikh has been asked to clean the temple premises and the road in front of the temple every day until the investigation is completed. The court also directed him to appear before the investigating officer once every week and cooperate with the investigation.
Some reports said the court had initially asked him to wash the steps of the chariot for a week in the presence of police personnel. However, court proceedings available later indicated that the condition required him to keep the temple premises and the adjoining road clean until the investigation concludes.
Defence says there was no intention to hurt religious sentiments
During the hearing, Sheikh’s lawyer argued that the investigating officer had failed to issue the mandatory notice before arrest in a case punishable with less than the prescribed threshold of imprisonment.
The defence also submitted that there was no communal disturbance following the incident and that Sheikh had no deliberate intention of insulting any religion.
Accused apologises
Speaking to reporters while being taken to court, Babulal Sheikh said he was unaware that wearing shoes on the Rath was considered disrespectful.
“I did not know that shoes should not be worn on the chariot. I regret my mistake and it will never happen again,” he said while folding his hands and publicly apologising. Local residents said he also held his ears as a gesture of repentance.
Bail condition sparks discussion
The court’s bail conditions have sparked discussion in the area, with some expressing concern that requiring a Muslim accused to clean the premises of a Hindu temple could become controversial.
A senior police officer said the administration would ensure compliance with the court’s directions while maintaining law and order and preventing any fresh tension in the area.
