Activist Minhas arrested over speaking against conversions

Activist Tejasvi Minhas, president of the Punjab Bachao Morcha, who has been vocal on the issue of conversions in the state, was today arrested by the Jalandhar police. Minhas, who was arrested from his house at Model Town in Jalandhar at 6 am, was later released on bail in the evening.

Detained for several hours, he was then taken to the Civil Hospital for a medical examination. Thereafter, he was taken to the district courts where Minhas was released on bail.

An FIR had been registered against Minhas on November 26 under Sections 285 (causing danger or obstruction in a public way or line of navigation) and 223 (disobedience to order promulgated by public servant, penalising those who knowingly defy lawful orders) of the BNS.

However, no action had been initiated on the matter until today.

The FIR on November 26 stated that Minhas along with 40 to 50 other people had indulged in sloganeering and dharna, obstructing traffic and causing jam outside Gurdwara Singh Sabha at Model Town. On November 26, Minhas had held a protest outside the gurdwara against conversions along with other activists and organisations.

Minhas had earlier also held a series of press conferences in Jalandhar, Chandigarh and elsewhere, against religious conversions in the state. He had also protested outside the ED office in Jalandhar on the issue. Apart from being the president of the Punjab Bachao Morcha, Minhas is also an environmental activist whose petitions and complaints against felling of trees and other civic issues have also been taken note of by the National Green Tribunal.

In his statement to the media, Minhas alleged that the police had arrested him on baseless charges.

SHO, police station number 6, Balwinder Kumar said, "We had received information that Minhas had blocked traffic on November 26."

When asked on the delayed action in the case, the FIR which was lodged 10 days ago, the SHO added, "The case was under investigation. We can only carry out the action as per the investigation. Further proceedings in the case are ongoing and the next date has been fixed for December 20."

Minhas alleged, "I was arrested at 6 am abruptly without having any knowledge of the November FIR. The IO himself registered the case without any independent complainant." Minhas said he would initiate legal action against the police for harassment and direct violation of my fundamental rights.

He also alleged the police were acting under political pressure. Minhas was represented by lawyers Sanjiv Bansal and Anuj Bansal who alleged the FIR was politically motivated and biased.

What FIR says

The FIR on November 26 stated that Minhas along with 40 to 50 other people had indulged in sloganeering and dharna, obstructing traffic and causing jam outside Gurdwara Singh Sabha at Model Town. On November 26, Minhas had held a protest outside the gurdwara against conversions along with other activists and organisations.