Delhi Lawyers Take Legal Action Against Activist Over Controversial Social‑Media Posts About Hindu Deities

When Advocate Amita Sachdeva logged onto X one evening, she stumbled upon a series of old tweets that, in her view, crossed a line. The posts, attributed to activist Nisha Azad, apparently used the word “vaishya” in reference to Goddess Durga and mocked Goddess Saraswati. "I gave her a warning, asked her politely to delete the posts, and set a deadline of 1 p.m. on Saturday," Sachdeva told ANI. "When nothing changed, I felt I had no choice but to go to the police."

She added that the insult to deities, for many Hindus, is not just a personal grievance but a matter of public sentiment. "You cannot insult my gods. If you want to believe in them, that is your choice, but disrespect is not acceptable," she said, emphasizing that the law should step in when religious feelings are hurt.

Across the street, Advocate Anurak Gupta echoed a similar frustration. Describing the alleged remarks as “foul‑mouthed,” he urged other citizens to file complaints, warning that the perpetrators seemed to think they are above the law. "If everyone across India woke up and reported such behaviour, these individuals would lose the fear that currently shields them," Gupta told reporters outside the Sansad Marg police station. He also warned that if the Station House Officer (SHO) failed to register the case, the advocates would take the matter to the Deputy Commissioner and, if needed, straight to the Supreme Court.

Adding another layer to the story, Advocate Prateek Jha submitted a representation at the Parliament Street Police Station, alleging “double standards” in how the Delhi Police handled protests at Jantar Mantar. He claimed that one group was forced to disperse while another faced “many atrocities,” suggesting an uneven application of law enforcement that, in his view, undermines constitutional guarantees.

Meanwhile, Nisha Azad, the activist at the centre of the controversy, responded with a mixture of defiance and sarcasm. Speaking to ANI, she welcomed the arrest of Swatantra Bhardwaj, a separate case that had recently made headlines, but warned that her own family was now facing harassment from the supporters of the arrested individual. "They are making illegal demands, trying to send my father to jail. Don't stoop so low," she said, dismissing the legal complaints as politically motivated.

The episode reflects a broader debate in India about the limits of free expression, religious respect, and the role of law enforcement. While the advocates stress that no one should be allowed to demean sacred symbols, critics argue that legal action could be used to silence dissent. As the police investigate, both sides remain entrenched, waiting to see whether the courts will intervene or the matter will simply fade away.