Harbhajan, Mona summoned by court for Ravana-Sita dance

Cricketer Harbhajan Singh, actor Mona Singh and an entertainment channel were today issued summons by a local court for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments with their Ravana-Sita dance act in a reality show last year. The summons returnable by April 22 were issued by First Class Judicial Magistrate Rajneesh on a petition filed by NGO activist and local advocate, Arvind Thakur, and spokesman of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Vijay Singh.

Thakur, associated with NGO Global Human Rights Council, and the other petitioner had alleged that Harbhajan and Mona had hurt the religious sentiments by their Ravana-Sita dance act in TV show `Ek Haseena Ek Khiladi` telecast by `Colors` channel in October last year. They alleged that an offence under IPC sections 298 (hurting religious sentiments) and 120-B (conspiracy) was made out against them.

Soon after the controversy, the cricketer had tendered an apology for playing `Ravana` in the TV show and vowed not to repeat such actions, which may hurt the religious sentiments of any community. At that time, the petitioner NGO had claimed that in view of the cricketer`s apology an application would be moved seeking withdrawal of his name from the complaint but the matter against Mona and the channel would continue.

However, Thakur has now said that the matter against Harbhajan had not ended since he had "declined to come to court to apologise.

Source: pti