An First Information Report (FIR) has been officially registered against three prominent leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in New Delhi, following allegations that a party video deliberately hurt the religious sentiments of the Christian community. The case, filed on Thursday, names Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, and Adil Ahmad Khan.
The Complaint and Alleged Offence
The legal action stems from a complaint lodged by a lawyer. The complainant pointed to a skit video that the AAP posted on its official social media accounts on December 17 and 18. The performance was staged at Connaught Place in central Delhi.
According to the FIR, the skit depicted Santa Claus in a manner deemed humorous and derogatory. A key point of contention was a scene where an individual dressed as Santa Claus collapses on the street. The complainant argued that the character was used merely as a "prop" to convey a political message, which mocked the figure of St. Nicholas.
The complaint specifically highlighted that showing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) being performed on Santa Claus was a "direct insult" to the sanctity associated with the Christmas figure. It was further alleged that the timing of the posts, during the final days of the Advent season preceding Christmas, was deliberate and malicious.
Legal Charges and Political Reactions
The case has been registered under specific sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — Sections 299, 302, and 3(5). These sections pertain to deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings, committed with a common intention. The FIR also states that the actions of the three AAP functionaries threaten the communal harmony in the national capital.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly condemned the AAP's video. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva labeled it an "indecent and objectionable act" and a "mockery of religious faith." He emphasized that public representatives have an obligation to maintain dignity.
In his defence, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, who is also the party's Delhi unit president, denied all allegations of insulting religious sentiments. He asserted that the skit was a creative attempt to bring the critical issue of Delhi's severe air pollution to the public's attention, thereby putting pressure on both the city and Union governments.
Broader Political Accusations and Counterclaims
The AAP has framed the FIR as part of a larger strategy by the ruling BJP to intimidate opposition leaders. Bharadwaj accused the BJP of using agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and now the Delhi Police to target its opponents.
"Their propaganda is being exposed, so they are scared. We need to expose them more and scare them further. BJP workers are now donning the mask of Christians," Bharadwaj stated. The party also accused the BJP of selective outrage over such issues.
Bharadwaj cited a recent incident in Lajpat Nagar where individuals dressed as Santa Claus were allegedly harassed, and their caps were yanked off. "However, the religious sentiment of no Christian worker of BJP was hurt in that case," he remarked, questioning the consistency of the BJP's stance. The complainant provided links to the AAP's Instagram and Facebook posts as primary evidence for the case.
