Popular filmmaker Maniratnam has been named in a FIR that was lodged in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur on Thursday. He along with 49 celebrities have been named in the case following an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising concern over the growing incidents of mob killing. In July this year, the celebrities wrote a letter against contunuing mob lynching across the country.
A petition was filed by an advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha in Muzaffarpur in Bihar. He said through the letter they allegedly tarnished the image of the country and undermined the impressive performance of the Prime Minister besides supporting secessionist tendencies. The police said the FIR was lodged under sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those relating to sedition, public nuisance, hurting religious feelings and insulting with an intent to provoke breach of peace.
Leaders of various political parties including DMK President M K Stalin had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the sedition case against 49 celebrities including director Mani Ratnam. Efforts are being made to show the people it was MPOdi’s government that decided to file sedition case, while the reality is it was ordered by a Magistrate court based on a petition. Hope the Union government intervenes and make sure that the case is withdrawn.