Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has found himself entangled in controversy after a Mumbai resident filed a complaint against him for allegedly “insulting the Sanatan Dharma” in a viral Christmas video. In the video, Kapoor is seen pouring liquor on a cake and setting it on fire, while saying “Jai Mata Di.”
The complaint, filed at a Mumbai police station, accuses Ranbir and his family of deliberately invoking Hindu Gods and Goddesses by incorporating intoxicating liquor in the celebration, intending to insult the Sanatan Dharma. The complaint suggests that the act was inappropriate, particularly during a religious festival.
The complainant has urged for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the actor and his family members under sections 295(A) (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 298 (uttering words with the intent to wound religious feelings), 500 (defamation), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
As of now, no FIR has been registered, and it remains to be seen how the authorities will proceed with the complaint. Section 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code deals with actions that deliberately insult or attempt to insult the religious beliefs of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.
The controversy has sparked debates on freedom of expression, cultural sensitivity, and the intersection of public figures with religious sentiments. It also raises questions about the legal implications of creative expression during festivals and events. Ranbir Kapoor and his family have not yet publicly responded to the complaint, leaving the matter in the hands of legal authorities to determine whether any action will be taken based on the filed complaint.