An 88-page Hindi book on fascism and a 70-page book on the communist movement are among the evidence cited by Madhya Pradesh Police in its chargesheet against the founder of a youth collective accused of hurting religious sentiments.
The activist, Saurav Banerjee, co-founder of How We Ought to Live (HOWL), was allegedly assaulted by a right-wing mob in July following rumours of religious conversion. The group drew controversy after a regional daily published a front-page story in May accusing it of “anti-Hindu activities.”
On July 24, HOWL held a press conference at the Indore Press Club to counter the allegations. The event was disrupted, allegedly by local right-wing outfits, and Banerjee was assaulted inside the venue while other members fled. An FIR was filed against him on July 26.
The chargesheet, submitted by Investigating Officer Mayank Verma on September 23 before a Dewas trial court, books Banerjee under Sections 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for allegedly outraging religious feelings. He was granted bail by the Madhya Pradesh High Court last week.
Police listed as evidence the seizure of a “Hindi book related to fascism” and another on the “communist movement and fascism.”
HOWL co-founder Pranay Tripathi said: “We have a wide range of books on philosophy and history, including many Hindi translations.”
In the chargesheet, the main complainant, Sachin Bamania, and his brother Pankaj claim they were present when Banerjee allegedly insulted Lord Ram and Sita. Other witnesses gave similar statements, though they acknowledged they were not there.
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Witnesses claimed Banerjee had been active in the village for five years, accusing his collective of “substance abuse” and inviting locals to Sunday meetings.
Another villager, Devaraj, accused Banerjee of illegally constructing on his agricultural land and misleading him into signing a rent agreement.
Police also alleged that Banerjee’s accounts “received funds in US dollars” and sought more time to probe possible foreign funding.
Banerjee’s lawyer, Jwalant Singh Chouhan, denied all charges. “My client, a Hindu by birth, has been falsely accused. He never made derogatory remarks against any deity. The foreign payment was for legitimate translation work, fully disclosed in tax filings. There is no mention of religious conversion in the FIR — the claims are malicious and a clear misuse of power,” he said.
