Gujarat court orders inquiry into Chidambaram's saffron terror remarks

A court in Gujarat today ordered a police inquiry against Union home minister P Chidambaram in a defamation suit filed against him for his 'saffron terrorism' remarks.

Metropolitan magistrate MG Dave, under section 202 of the CrPC, ordered an SP level officer to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within 90 days on the issue.

One Swami Nijanand Tirth of Patan district had filed the defamation complaint under section 499 and 500(defamation) of the Indian Penal Code in the metropolitan court.

Tirth has contended in his complaint that action should be taken against Chidambaram as the home minister has hurt the sentiments of lakhs of Hindu saints by using the word 'saffron terrorism'.

He said that the saffron colour is a symbol of the Hindu religion and saints across the country wear attires of the same colour. Tirth also said that saffron was a symbol of peace and sacrifice and God and those trying to demean it need to be punished.

In his speech at the conference held in Delhi on August 25, Chidambaram had said "...there is the recently uncovered phenomenon of saffron terrorism that has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past."

There has been uproar across the country over the use of the phrase by Chidambaram, especially by the BJP, which has also sought apology from the minister and the prime minister.