FIR Registered Against Christian Forum Leader Arun Pannalal After Uproar in Raipur Over Fake List of 26 Pahalgam Attack Victims Posted on Social Media
Raipur
Major unrest broke out in Raipur after a fake list of 26 people killed in the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir was posted on social media. Police have now registered an FIR against Arun Pannalal, a leader of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum. Pannalal is accused of disrupting communal harmony. Hindu organizations staged a semi-nude protest outside his house throughout the night in protest.
In this matter, cow protection activist (Gau Sevak) Adesh Soni stated that Arun Pannalal, associated with the Christian Forum, released a list on his social media account after the Pahalgam attack. The list claimed that 15 of the 26 deceased were from the Muslim community. It also included several fake names. According to Soni, the list was completely fabricated and misleading, and the names of the martyrs were distorted.
Soni added that a complaint was filed against Arun Pannalal at Azad Chowk police station. Following this, a semi-nude protest was held late into the night outside Pannalal’s residence in the Khamtardih police station area. During the protest, Hanuman Chalisa was recited. Several other Hindu organizations joined the demonstration, raising slogans and demanding strict action from the administration.
The entire controversy erupted over Pannalal’s social media post. However, he later deleted the misleading post.
The fake list circulating on social media did not include the name of Dinesh Mirania, a businessman from Raipur. Following this, Dinesh’s relative, Amar Bansal, also filed a complaint against Pannalal with the police. Pannalal later apologized to the family, but members of Hindu organizations continued to demand action.
Currently, Azad Chowk police have registered an FIR against Arun Pannalal under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code equivalent). The police are now proceeding with further action in the matter.
Around 100 members of Hindu organizations had gathered semi-nude outside Pannalal’s house, demanding that an FIR be lodged.
Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, Arun Pannalal said that the social media post in question had been deleted. Currently, there is no such post related to the list on his account. He called the protest by Hindu organizations unjustified.
In this matter, a Christian organization, the Diocese of Chhattisgarh, distanced itself from the controversy. Its secretary and spokesperson, Nitin Lawrence, stated that the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum does not represent the entire Christian community.
He added that the Christian community works in coordination with the government and administration and does not endorse unilateral statements. He urged people to remain cautious of rumors.
