Nagpur: The recitation of Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s ‘Hum Dekhenge’ poem at an event in Nagpur has led police to slap endangering India’s unity and integrity, and promoting enmity charges against three persons, including late actor-activist Veera Sathidar’s wife Pushpa.
In a statement, police said they have started recording statements of people associated with the controversial Veera Sathidar memorial programme held on May 13 in Nagpur, where the poem was recited, PTI reported.
The FIR, which stems from alleged incendiary and provocative remarks made at the programme, has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 152 (endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India), 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), 353 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 3 (5), which concerns common intention.
These stringent charges have been invoked against Pushpa, the wife of actor-activist late Veera Sathidar, and two unnamed persons. Veera Sathidar, known for his National Award winning film ‘Court’, died on April 13, 2021.
A programme in memory of Veera Sathidar was organised at the Vidarbha Hindi Sahitya Sammelan Hall in Nagpur and remarks made at the event led to the controversy.
An FIR was registered at the Sitabuldi police station against Pushpa Sathidar and two others associated with the memorial programme based on a complaint lodged by a local resident, Dattatraya Shirke.
