Dr Devesh Chaudhary removes the post after objections; police have forwarded the complaint to senior officials
RAMPUR — Muslim residents, lawyers and traders in Swar town of Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur district have submitted a written complaint to the police seeking criminal action against a government doctor over a Facebook post referring to a mosque and carrying the slogan “Jai Shri Ram”.
The complaint submitted on Monday concerns Dr Devesh Chaudhary, a physician posted at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Swar, who also serves as the district nodal officer responsible for action against unqualified and unregistered medical practitioners.
The Facebook post, which Chaudhary reportedly shared on his wife’s birthday, read: “Tumhari zubaan par mera naam, uff jaise kisi masjid par likha ho, Jai Shri Ram” (Your lips carry my name, as if Jai Shri Ram is written on a mosque).
The wording drew objections from members of the Muslim community, who said the reference to a mosque in the post had hurt their religious sentiments. They also questioned the appropriateness of such a statement from a person holding a government position in the health department.
On Monday afternoon, a group of lawyers, traders and Muslim residents reached the Swar police station and handed a written complaint to Inspector Pankaj Pant, the station in-charge.
The complainants demanded that an FIR be registered against Chaudhary, departmental proceedings be initiated against him and he be removed from the CHC in Swar.
They also called for an impartial investigation and warned that they would organise a protest if the authorities failed to take action.
Some residents had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Superintendent of Police, seeking an investigation into the matter.
According to local media reports, those who approached the police included Haji Shamim, Laiq Golden, Afsar Ali Miyan, Mohammad Junaid, Syed Bilal, Mashkoor and Arwaz Qureshi, along with other residents.
Responding to the controversy, Dr Chaudhary said he had shared the post to mark his wife’s birthday. He said he removed it after some people objected to its wording.
He denied having any intention to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.
Inspector Pankaj Pant confirmed that the police had received the written complaint. He said senior officers had been informed and further action would be taken in accordance with their instructions.
