Anti-Muslim remarks: Rajasthan High Court extends stay on arrest of Baba Ramdev

The Rajasthan High Court on Monday extended till October 16 an earlier order not to arrest Baba Ramdev in connection with a case filed against him for allegedly making anti-Muslim remarks earlier this year [Swami Ramdev v State & Anr]..Ramdev has also been ordered to appear for police interrogation next on October 5 in the case..The order was passed by Justice Kuldeep Mathur on Monday, wherein the judge extended the validity of an interim order issued on April 13 this year, which prevented Baba Ramdev's arrest.."The petitioner is directed to appear before the Investigating Officer for interrogation on 05.10.2023 at 11.30 am. The petitioner is further directed to appear before the Investigating Officer as and when called by him for interrogation...List the matter on 16.10.2023. The interim order dated 13.04.2023 shall remain in currency till next date of hearing," the Court's September 11 order stated. The matter will be heard next on October 16..The Court was dealing with a plea by Ramdev to quash the case filed against him for allegedly making anti-Muslim remarks during a gathering of seers in Rajasthan's Barmer district earlier this year. The first information report (FIR) against Ramdev was filed on a complaint by a Barmer resident named Pathai Khan. Khan was upset by Ramdev's remarks during a Sant Samagam (saint gathering) held at the Taratar math on February 2. The FIR alleged that Ramdev made a comparison between Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity while also asserting that both Islam and Christianity were overly focused on conversion whereas Hinduism encouraged its followers to engage in virtuous actions..Ramdev was booked under Sections 153 (promoting enmity), 295A (outrage religious feelings) and 298 (uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)..Senior Advocate Dhirendra Singh, Nishank Madan and Priyanka Borana represented Baba Ramdev before the High Court. Advocate MS Bhati appeared for the State..[Read Order]