Ludhiana Police file FIR against Aaj Tak anchor Anjana Om Kashyap and India Today Group chairman Aroon Purie for allegedly insulting saint Valmiki, sparking outrage among the Valmiki community.
FIR Filed After Alleged Derogatory Remarks
Ludhiana Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Aaj Tak anchor Anjana Om Kashyap, India Today Group chairman Aroon Purie, and the media company Living Media India Limited.
The FIR stems from remarks made by Kashyap about the ancient saint Valmiki during a show broadcast on the channel’s social media platforms, including Facebook. The comments were described as “deeply insulting” by community representatives.
Complaint by Bharatiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj
The complaint was lodged by Chaudhary Yashpal, national coordinator of Bharatiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj (BHAVADHAS) and resident of Mohalla Ghati Valmiki, Ludhiana.
The organization stated that the anchor’s remarks hurt the sentiments of the entire Valmiki community across India. BHAVADHAS has demanded:
- Immediate arrest of Anjana Om Kashyap
- A formal apology for the alleged offense
Legal Provisions Invoked
The FIR has been filed under:
- Section 299 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) – for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings
- Section 3(1)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
Inspector Gaganpreet Singh, SHO of Division Number 4 Police Station, confirmed that the investigation will be overseen by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank officer as mandated under the SC/ST Act. The case file has been forwarded to the Ludhiana Police Commissioner’s office for further action.
Community Reactions
The remarks have sparked widespread outrage among Dalit and Scheduled Caste communities.
- At least 13 organizations have raised concerns, demanding strict action
- Police have assured that the matter is being taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated
