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India man jailed for tweets about erotic temple statues released | India man jailed for tweets about erotic temple statues released |
(about 4 hours later) | |
An Indian man has been released from prison after more than a month, for posting satirical tweets about erotic sculptures in a temple. | An Indian man has been released from prison after more than a month, for posting satirical tweets about erotic sculptures in a temple. |
In September, Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, posted a video in which he makes disparaging comments about the famous Konark temple in the eastern state of Orissa and the people of the state. | In September, Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, posted a video in which he makes disparaging comments about the famous Konark temple in the eastern state of Orissa and the people of the state. |
He was arrested after two locals complained he "hurt public sentiment". | He was arrested after two locals complained he "hurt public sentiment". |
The state assembly pardoned him on Thursday. | The state assembly pardoned him on Thursday. |
Mr Iyer-Mitra had been facing an array of charges for his tweets about the sculptures. | |
He was accused of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and race in a place of worship, insulting religious feelings and creating "public nuisance". | He was accused of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and race in a place of worship, insulting religious feelings and creating "public nuisance". |
He was also charged with an "obscene act in a public place" and a protection of ancient monument law was invoked to charge him with misuse of the Konark temple where he recorded his video. | He was also charged with an "obscene act in a public place" and a protection of ancient monument law was invoked to charge him with misuse of the Konark temple where he recorded his video. |
The information and technology law was also used to charge him with sending offensive messages. | The information and technology law was also used to charge him with sending offensive messages. |
Soon after posting his tweets, Mr Iyer-Mitra quickly clarified that they were a joke, and the sculptures were "exquisite". However, his bail pleas were rejected both in the lower court as well as the Supreme Court. | |
Mr Iyer-Mitra has not commented publicly since his release. | Mr Iyer-Mitra has not commented publicly since his release. |
A blow to India's 'liberal democracy' | A blow to India's 'liberal democracy' |
Soutik Biswas, BBC News Delhi | Soutik Biswas, BBC News Delhi |
The decision to put Abhijit Iyer-Mitra in prison for cracking jokes smacks of petty vindictiveness and damages India's already wobbly reputation as a liberal democracy. | The decision to put Abhijit Iyer-Mitra in prison for cracking jokes smacks of petty vindictiveness and damages India's already wobbly reputation as a liberal democracy. |
Free speech appears to be in peril all around: journalists have been arrested, independent media have been under attack, internet shutdowns have become common, and cases of defamation, sedition and censorship are on the rise. | |
He also appeared to have become a pawn in a political game involving a prominent local MP who had fallen foul of the state's chief minister. | He also appeared to have become a pawn in a political game involving a prominent local MP who had fallen foul of the state's chief minister. |
When he made his "objectionable" video, Mr Iyer-Mitra was a guest of Baijayant "Jay" Panda, a former member of parliament who was forced out of Orissa by chief minister Naveen Patnaik's political party. | When he made his "objectionable" video, Mr Iyer-Mitra was a guest of Baijayant "Jay" Panda, a former member of parliament who was forced out of Orissa by chief minister Naveen Patnaik's political party. |
Many believe Mr Patnaik was looking to embarrass Mr Panda and the video came in handy to do just that. | Many believe Mr Patnaik was looking to embarrass Mr Panda and the video came in handy to do just that. |
Read more from Soutik Biswas | Read more from Soutik Biswas |