Court grants bail to Jharkhand college girl, directs her to distribute copies of Quran
Ranchi, July 16 (IBNS): A Jharkhand court on Tuesday granted bail to college student Richa Bharti, who was arrested for allegedly sharing objectionable contents against a community on the social media last week, but directed her to donate five copies of the Quran to government-owned educational institutions.
The order was given by the court of judicial magistrate Manish Kumar Singh.
The court has also directed the college student to donate one copy of the Muslim holy book to complainant Mansur Khalifa, a member of Sadar Anjuman Committee.
“Directing her to donate the books within a fortnight in presence of police authorities and submit a compliance report, the court granted bail to Richa on the condition that she would furnish two sureties of Rs 7,000 each,” Richa’s lawyer Ramparvesh Singh told Hindustan Times.
However, Richa has refused to distribute the Holy book.
According to the newspaper report, Khalifa had lodged a complaint with the Pithoria police station against Bharti on July 12 alleging that she was instrumental in uploading objectionable posts on Facebook and WhatsApp.
Bharti was arrested on July 12.
Richa refuses to distribute Quran
Richa told Zee News: "When I posted on Facebook, I didn't think it would become such a big deal. I had posted something and I never realised that Muslims from my own mohalla would get me sent to jail. “
She further said: "I will not distribute Qurans. Tomorrow they will say, accept Islam. Has a Muslim ever been asked to Ramayana paath or Mahabharata paath? Are Muslims ever asked to read Hanuman Chalisa?"
Meanwhile, netizens have started reacting to the court order.
Writer Shefali Vaidya tweeted: "In India, Muzlims kick martyrs memorial, state does NOTHING, Muzlims rape, kill, desecrate temples, they get bail unconditionally. A Hindu woman, #RichaBharti is told to distribute Quran by a Hindu judge. #Shame."
One Karuna Tyagi said: "Not only #RichaBharti our daughters r facing humiliation almost every day but #MeLord is interested in providing justice to a specific community..why..r v not natives of India Me Lord..do v have not equal rights?why do u feel pain of Quran followers only."
Iskaran said: "One Courageous Girl from Ranchi Ms. Richa Bharti has by refusing to obey clearly unconstitutional order to distribute Quran, exposes the entire system. Police which arrested her for FB comment & Magistrate who gave the order.HC should take action on it."
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