Based on the complaint by BJP, the Madhya Pradesh police registered an FIR against Urdu poet Munawwar Rana for allegedly comparing Maharshi Valmiki, who wrote the Ramayana , with the Taliban.

The case was registered against Rana in Guna following a complaint filed by Sunil Malviya, State Secretary of the BJP’s Scheduled Caste cell, and other members of the Valmiki community.

Talking to a news channel Poet Rana had said, ‘Valmiki became a God after he wrote the Ramayana, before that he was a dacoit. A person’s character can change. Similarly, the Taliban, for now, are terrorists, but people and characters change.’

Malviya alleged that Rana disrespected Maharshi Valmiki with his comments and hurt the feelings of the Valmiki community and Hindus comparing Valmiki with the Taliban for which he has filed a complaint against him.

The case was registered against Poet Rana under IPC Section 505 (2) (statements conducing to public mischief).