Committees involved in organising Ram Navami processions in Ranchi will have to get their list of devotional songs approved by the local police station before playing them on loudspeakers, the Ranchi District Administration decided on Friday in a meeting attended by senior cops and officials concerned.
Moreover, if an individual or a group of people are caught playing objectionable songs, the police will lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against them on charges of deliberately intending to outrage or insult religious feelings.
“The offenders will be charged under section 295A of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) and a non-bailable warrant will be issued against them,†said Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police, Anish Gupta.
Under section 295A of IPC, an offender can be punished with imprisonment of up to three years or fine or both.
The meeting on Friday was chaired by Gupta and Deputy Commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray with the objective to ensure peaceful Ramnavami and Sarhul celebrations in the State capital.
Ranchi has had a history of communal clashes caused over objectionable songs and fuelled on social media during Ramnavami.
In 2017, communal tension simmered in Ranchi during Ramnavami festivities after objectionably lyrics of a song led to clashes between two groups on Mahatma Gandhi Road, which has a Hanuman temple and a mosque at a stone’s throw to each other. The District Administration had to issue prohibitory orders and turn MG Road into a fortress after two groups started pelting stones at each other.
In a bid to avert such clashes this Ramnavami, the administration has decided to hold a meeting with all the DJs in the city and ask them to keep a check on the quality of the songs played during the festival.
“Most of the Ramnavami committees usually hire DJs for their tableau. We will hold a meeting with the DJs and ask them to keep a check on the quality of songs played during the festivities,†said DC, Rai Mahimapat Ray.
Ramnavami will be celebrated across Jharkhand on April 13, while Sarhul –a tribal festival- will be celebrated on Monday.
The police will also keep a close watch on social media activities, especially messages spread on smart phone messaging App, WhatsApp.
“Rumour mongers have used social media platforms in the past to spread tension, so we will maintain a scanner on all the social media activities,†Gupta said.
Since Model Code of Conduct has been imposed in Jharkhand for the 17th General Elections, the police are on their toes to avert any untoward incidents on festivals.
