Complaint filed against paper for republishing Charlie Hebdo cartoon

A group of Muslims on Saturday filed a complaint against Avadhnama, a daily newspaper at the Nagpada police station for reprinting Charlie Hebdo cartoons on Prophet Mohammed.

Zubair Azmi, one of the complainants said: "There was malicious intent in producing this. They know that, and about the sentiments of the average Muslim."

In their application, the complainants have sought that a case be registered under sections that pertain to hurting religious sentiments, creating enmity between communities and creating a law and order situation.

NK Mehtar, senior PI, Nagpada police station said: "They have given a complaint. After inquiry, we will take an action accordingly."

When contacted by dna Shireen Dalvi, editor of Avadhnama, said that insulting the Prophet was the last thing on her mind.

She explained why the pictures were used saying, "Our story was that every year, the circulation of Charlie Hebdo was 60,000. However, in the latest copy after the Paris attack, it rose 30 lakh. News was being circulated that someone paid Rs10 lakh to the weekly. Along with news, we try to have a graphic, so this was used. Perhaps that was my mistake."

Dalvi also apologised and said that one should not get carried away by sentiments. She added: "I apologize for my mistake and to anyone whose sentiments were hurt. If somwhere, there is a book that is wrong, the response to that, should be a book. Ilm ka jawab ilm se dena chahiye (knowledge should be responded through knowledge)."