Amit Jani, leader and chairperson of Uttar Pradesh Navnirman Sena, was arrested on Monday, 30 October, from Lucknow and brought to Agra for posting a computer generated picture (CGP) of the Taj Mahal with seven saffron flags at its minarets on a WhatsApp group, reported The Times of India.
The controversial leader has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
According to the TOI report, Jani has been booked under Sections 153(b) (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 295 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the IPC and Section 66 of the IT Act.
Jani had intentionally posted a picture of the Taj Mahal with seven saffron flags with an intention to hurt religious sentiments of the other community. His post will have severe repercussions, and has also created a sense of fear among local residents and tourists.Excerpt from the FIR filed against Amit Jani
According to the FIR, Jani had asked all men associated with saffron and Hindu organisations to gather at the Taj on 3 November, and the appeal had triggered panic in the city.
Responding to TOI’s questions on his arrest, Jani said:
My family and I are being treated as a terrorist by the state government. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should understand I’m Hindu, a Hindu is not a terrorist.
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