Raveena Tandon makes fun of “Hallelujah”. Gets slapped with an FIR. Apologizes.

Actress Raveena Tandon has apologised to the people after the Punjab Police registered a case against her for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of a community in a TV show, actress Raveena Tandon has clarified that it was not her intention to insult anyone and urged people to watch the video of the show in question.  

Actress Raveena Tandon alongside the choreographer-director Farah Khan and comedian Bharti Singh had used the word ‘hallelujah’ for a joke in a comedy show named ‘Back Benchers’. For this, a person had filed a complaint against Raveena Tandon, Farah Khan and Bharti Singh alleging that “the religious sentiments of Christians have been hurt.”

A case was registered against Tandon on the basis of a complaint filed by Sonu Jafar, the president of Christian Front of Ajnala Block. Jafar also presented the video footage of the show ‘Back Benchers’ on which the actress Raveena Tandon had made an appearance. The comedy show was aired on Christmas eve.

However after the case was filed for hurting the religious sentiment of the Christian community, actress Raveena Tandon sought to clear the air by sharing the original clip of the television show on Twitter while stating in the tweet, “Please do watch this link. I haven’t said a word that can be interpreted as an insult to any religion. The three of us (Farah Khan, Bharti Singh and I) never intended to offend anyone, but in case we did, my most sincere apologies to those who were hurt,” she said in the tweet. 

Notably, a complaint was filed against Raveena Tandon, director Farah Khan and comedian Bharti Singh by the Punjab Police for hurting religious sentiments under section 295A of the IPC (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).

 “We received a complaint against actor Raveena Tandon, comedian Bharti Singh, and director-producer, Farah Khan, claiming that they hurt sentiments of the Christian community, during a television show,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sohan Singh of the Amritsar police said.

Confirming the filing of the complaint against the actress Raveena Tandon, comedian Bharti Singh and director Farah Khan, Amritsar (Rural) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vikram Jeet Duggal said, “We have registered a case against the three and further investigations are being held.”

People of the twitter also reacted to the controversy with one Arun Henry saying, “See you in court.” 

 Another user Peter Anthony tweeted, “When you die and go to heaven, you will sing ‘Hallelujah’ for eternity because it is the language of the angels to Praise His name always.! May God bless you. Please exhibit some sense of respect and awareness! Of course you will be forgiven.”