A 22-year-old woman from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested by the police following the viral circulation of a video that allegedly showed her burning a copy of the ancient legal text, the Manusmriti. The accused, identified as Priyanka Varun, has claimed that the controversial video is nearly three years old and was recently reposted on social media platforms.
Arrest and Legal Action
The Agra police took action after the video gained traction on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) around December 26. According to Station House Officer B P Giri of Shahganj police station, Varun was arrested on December 30 on charges related to breach of peace. She was produced before a magistrate on the same day and was subsequently released on bail.
The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against her under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This section deals with disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant. Additionally, the authorities have invoked Section 67 of the Information Technology Act in the case.
Controversy Over Video's Origin
While the police acknowledged Varun's claim that the video was shot three years ago, they stated that the matter came to their official notice only recently due to its widespread circulation online. The complainant in the case, Sub-Inspector D M Pandey, asserted that legal action was initiated because the act depicted in the video could potentially disturb social harmony and public peace.
The police noted that the video had provoked protests from several individuals who claimed that their religious sentiments were hurt by the act of burning the text. This prompted the police to take cognisance of the matter to prevent any escalation.
Profile of the Accused
Priyanka Varun identified herself as the national president of an NGO named Bharatiya Mahila Suraksha Sangh. The organization, she stated, works to support women and children with autism. The arrest has brought her and her alleged actions into the national spotlight, raising questions about the timing of the legal action concerning an old video.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in the digital age, where old content can resurface and ignite fresh controversy. It also underscores the sensitive nature of actions perceived as disrespectful to religious texts and the legal provisions used to address such incidents.
