Another priest uses derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi in MP

Nearly a week after a self-styled seer Kalicharan Maharaj made derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi at a religious meeting in Chhattisgarh, who was later arrested by the police, yet another religious person allegedly called the Father of the Nation a 'traitor' in Madhya Pradesh.

Another priest uses derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi in MP
Source: IANS

Bhopal, Jan 5 (IANS) Nearly a week after a self-styled seer Kalicharan Maharaj made derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi at a religious meeting in Chhattisgarh, who was later arrested by the police, yet another religious person allegedly called the Father of the Nation a 'traitor' in Madhya Pradesh.

In a video that went viral on social media, a priest who was identified as Tarun Murari, was heard saying, "It is wrong to call him (Mahatma Gandhi) a Mahatma. He was neither a mahatma nor a nation lover. A person who divided the country should not be addressed as mahatma."

He continued, "I am saying it all using the freedom of expression and you can access this information from RTI (Right to Information) that he (Gandhi) was the person who introduced the donation system in India."

Bhagvat Katha teller, Murari hails from Narsinghpur district and he made the derogatory remarks against Gandhi on January 2.

Later, a Narshinghpur based youth Congress leader lodged a complaint with the local police against Murari. "A case was registered against Tarun Murari under sections 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505 (Statements conducing to public mischief) and 153B (assertions prejudicial to national integration) of the IPC," said a senior police officer in Narshinghpur district.

However, after an FIR was lodged, Murari apologised for his derogatory remarks, saying he used disrespectful language in a moment of aggression abetted by a local journalist. "My intent was not to disrespect Mahatma Gandhi and I apologise for my remarks."