Mumbai: A Mumbai-based Christian group has threatened to sue a Bollywood star for tweeting an “unwarranted and uncalled for” comment against the Pope.
The Indian Christian Voice, an organization that claims to represent all Christian denominations in the country, says Hrithik Roshan’s comment has hurt the religious sentiments of the community.
“We demand Mr Roshan recants his statement,” says Abraham Mathai, the organization’s national president.
The Christian group has given Roshan seven days to make a written public apology.
Mathai’s lawyer Rizwan Siddiquee says the criminal notice has been sent under section 295 A of the Indian Penal Code over Roshan’s “unwarranted and uncalled for comments made against the highly respected Pope Francis” on Twitter.
Roshan made the tweet in January.
A source says Mathai sent the notice to the Bollywood star on March 28 .
Speaking to hitlist, Mathai says, “We demand Mr Roshan recants his statement and issues an unconditional apology. While we respect Mr Roshan’s personal life including his right to choose who he wishes to be in a relationship with, we do take offense at dragging a religious head into it just so attention may be diverted, and the media glare move away. Such statements are irresponsible and not called for by a celebrity, thousands of whose fans are from the Catholic community and who believe that the Pope is their religious and revered head.”
Speaking to Times Now, Mathai pointed out that it was an uncalled for gesture on Hrithik’s part to drag the name of the Pope in order to get back at someone. He also accused the actor of suggesting that the Pope was gay.
Coincidentally the lawyer representing the Christian, the same counsel who will represent Kangana Ranaut.