After BJP leaders complaint, Pune Police register FIR against NCP MLA Awhad over 'Ram was non-vegetarian' remark

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Pune Police on Friday registered a case against NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad for allegedly hurting religious feelings following his remark that Lord Ram was a non-vegetarian.

Based on a complaint filed by Pune city Bharatiya Janata Party chief Dhiraj Ghate, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Awhad, a former Maharashtra minister, under Indian Penal Code section 295 (A) (Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) at Vishrambag police station, Pune Police official said.

Awhad, who belongs to the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, kicked up a row two days ago when he said that Lord Ram was a non-vegetarian, newswire PTI reported.

"He used to hunt and eat. He is ours, of bahujans. You (an apparent reference to the BJP) are turning us into vegetarians, (but) we are following the example of Ram and consuming mutton," he said at an NCP conclave at Shirdi on Wednesday.

The term 'bahujan' is used to denote the non-Brahmin sections of society in Maharashtra. The MLA later said he would express regret if anybody's sentiments were hurt.

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Pertinently, the Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Legislative Assembly Ram Kadam submitted an application to the suburban Ghatkopar police in Mumbai on Wednesday, seeking an FIR against Awhad for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments.

Talking to reporters, he also sought to know why Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar -- whose parties are constituents of an alliance in the state -- were "keeping silent when their own leader and colleague is hurting the sentiments of crores of people".

"The NCP leaders and Awhad can not digest the fact that a grand temple of Ram is going to be inaugurated on January 22. Why is he using such foul language?" Kadam asked.

Police have not registered any case against Awhad yet. "We have received the application and will seek a legal opinion on it," said an official of Ghatkopar police. (With inputs from PTI)