NGO to appeal against court’s clean chit to Harbhajan

CHANDIGARH - A city-based voluntary organisation is to challenge the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s clean chit to cricketer Harbhajan Singh for dressing like Ravana in a dance reality show, and allegedly hurting the sentiments of people.

The high court quashed the complaint against Harbhajan Tuesday, filed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Global Human Rights Council (GHRC) in October last year.

The court observed that Harbhajan had already apologised for his act, and it had slapped a fine of Rs.10,000 on the complainant.

We are not satisfied with the verdict of the high court and we are going to appeal in the Supreme Court against its decision. Harbhajan Singh is not above the law and he has hurt the religious sentiments of the masses, Arvind Thakur, chairperson of GHRC, told IANS Wednesday.

He added: He had earlier appologised in the premises of a five-star hotel. That is not enough; we want him to apologise before the court.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Mona Singh, of Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin fame, had performed a dance number on the reality show Ek Khiladi, Ek Hasina as mythological Ravana and Sita in October last year.

In Hindu mythology, LOrd Ram’s wife Sita was abducted by demon-king Ravana.

Following this, a criminal complaint was filed against Harbhajan Singh, Mona Singh and programme director of the TV channel Colors by GHRC.

Meanwhile, a local court here Tuesday issued bailable warrants against Mona Singh and programme director of Colors.

The next hearing is scheduled for Oct 31.