Thursday, February 12, 2009

Charged for insulting Muslims

KOLKATA (India) - AN INDIAN newspaper editor and publisher have been charged with insulting Muslims, police said on Thursday, over article savagely attacking the prophet Mohammed.
Ravindra Kumar, editor of the Kolkata-based Statesman, and Anand Sinha were arrested and later bailed on Wednesday after a local Muslim leader complained about the piece, which was first published in Britain's Independent newspaper.

The article by columnist Johann Hari was entitled 'Why should I respect these oppressive religions?' and contained allegations about Mohammed's life and his treatment of Jews.

On Wednesday about 1,000 Muslims burned copies of The Statesman, one of India's oldest English-language newspapers, outside its Kolkata head office in protest.

Kumar and Sinha have been charged with 'committing a deliberate act with malicious intent to outrage religious feelings.'

Hari defended his article, telling Thursday's Independent that he supported 'the right to criticise religion - all religion.'

The case is scheduled for February 25. -- AFP

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