Lord Ganesha Myth Remark: NSS Vice President Sangeeth Kumar Moves Kerala High Court For Quashing FIR Over Prayer Rally

Vice President of the Nair Service Society (NSS) Sangeeth Kumar has moved the Kerala High Court seeking quashing of the FIR registered against him and about a persons for holding a prayer rally to demonstrate against Kerala Assembly Speaker AN Shamseer's remarks about Lord Ganesha, allegedly without permission.

Speaking at an inaugural event in a school in Ernakulam, Shamseer reportedly said that Lord Ganesha is a 'myth'. The Hindu organisation said it will take legal recourse if the government fails to take appropriate steps in the matter.

Meanwhile, the Police have registered a suo moto case under Sections 143/149 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting) and 283 (obstruction in public way) of the IPC and under Sections 39, 121, 77B of the Kerala Police Act, 2011 against NSS' protest rally.

As per the FIR, the accused persons are members of NSS who under the aegis of the NSS Thiruvananthapuram Taluk Union formed an unlawful assembly, conducted processions and raised slogans on mic sets mounted in vehicles without permission from the local authorities, and caused inconvenience to pedestrians and other vehicles near Palayam Ganapathy Temple in Vanchiyoor on the evening of August 2.

It is alleged that even after police tried to disperse the alleged unlawful assembly, the demonstration continued up till night.

Sangeeth's counsel submitted that there was no unlawful assembly and the ingredients of Section 283 IPC are not attracted. The Counsel averred that they were only chanting prayers peacefully. Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V considered the matter today and asked the State counsel to seek instructions. The case is posted for further consideration on Friday.

The petitioner is represented by Advocates R T Pradeesp, V Vijulal, P Bijumon and M Bindudas.

Case Title- Sangeeth Kumar v State of Kerala (Crl MC 6332/2023)