The editor and publisher of a respected Indian newspaper have been arrested for "hurting the religious feelings" of Muslims after they reprinted one of Johann Hari's columns from The Independent.

Ravindra Kumar and Anand Sinha, the editor and publisher of the Kolkata-based English daily The Statesman, have appeared in court accused of breaching an Indian law that forbids "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings".

Sections of central Kolkata have been paralysed by protests for much of the past week after The Statesman republished Hari's article, Why should I respect oppressive religions?

A group of Muslims felt that the piece slighted the Prophet Muhammad and, initially, peaceful protests were held outside The Statesman's office. By Monday, demonstrations turned violent, with angry crowds blocking roads, attacking police and calling for arrests.

Statesman staff were forced to barricade the front entrance to their building and were escorted by police into their offices through a side door.

Kumar, in explaining that he stood by his decision to publish the article, said The Statesman had reprinted Hari's article because "it mourned the marginalisation of the middle, liberal path in modern society".

Since the arrests of Kumar and Sinha, the protesters have dispersed. (Via The Independent/The Statesman)