FIR against Zee News for airing Charlie Hebdo cartoons; Muslim groups protest

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The News Minute | January 17, 2015 | 9:30 am IST A case was registered against Zee News Limited on Thursday by the Bhavaninagar police in Hyderabad after claims that it hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslim community by reportedly telecasting the Charlie Hebdo cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad. Mohammed Irfan, a student of Islamic studies from Jamia Nizmia, in his complaint, said that the news channel and anchor Sudheer Chowdhary were well aware that the cartoon would offend religious feelings and termed this as a deliberate act to create law and order problems, a report in the Times of India adds. The channel had reportedly telecast the images on January 7 and again on January 13. The cartoon is shown after 11:30, followed by an explanation that the channel is showing the cartoons, in support of 'Free Speech.' A case has been registered under sections 295, 153 - A and 153 - B, all of which deal with offending religious sentiments. Irfan has also sent a notice to the news channel informing its management that all illustrations of Prophet Muhammad are against Islamic beliefs. He threatened to take legal action if the cartoons were not removed from the website immediately. Friday evening also witnessed members of Majlis Bachao Tehreek staging a dharna and carrying banners that read "Down Down Charlie Hebdo, Down Down Zee Television", The party leaders, later speaking to the media persons gathered there - demanded that the ministry of information and broadcasting issue appropriate directions to newspapers and news channels restraining them from carrying the Charlie Hebdo cartoons. Tweet Follow @thenewsminute

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