Inquiry ordered into defamation plea against Chidambaram

AHMEDABAD - A local court here Monday ordered an inquiry into a defamation complaint filed by a godman against Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram for his recent remark related to “saffron terrorism”.

Metropolitan Magistrate M.G. Dave ordered the inquiry under section 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code after complainant Swami Nijanandtirth produced evidence supporting his plea. The inquiry will be completed in 90 days.

The complainant produced in court newspaper cuttings, video footage of news channels and other supportive material.

Nijanandtirth from Patan in Gujarat filed the complaint against Chidambaram alleging defamation and seeking criminal prosecution for his comments on “saffron terrorism”.

The petitioner, who hails from Radhanpur in north Gujarat, contended that saffron is a colour generally associated with saints who cherish the value of non-violence as a principle of faith.

To associate violence and terrorism with it amounts to defamation of the entire phalanx of saints of the Hindu faith, he contended.

The plea contended that the statement by the home minister referring to saffron terrorism amounts to defamation of the faith and its saints, both past and present, as well as all religious practitioners. It demanded criminal prosecution of the minister for it.

On Aug 25, Chidamabram, while addressing a conference of police chief from different states in Delhi, said: “There is this recently uncovered phenomena of saffron terrorism that has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past.”