Vishal Dadlani apologises yet again to Tarun Sagar; says they have developed a bond

The row over Vishal Dadlani's "offensive" Tweet refuses to die down. In a latest development, the music composer has extended an apology yet again for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with his sarcastic Tweet on the Jain monk, Tarun Sagar.

Vishal Dadlani on 21 September visited Tarun Sagar's ashram in Chandigarh to apologise in person. This is the third time Dadlani has apologised for his remark. However, this time he has asserted that Tarun Sagar has accepted his apology.

"Guruji' (Jain Muni Tarun Sagar) accepted my apology, I think we've also developed a friendship bond," Vishal Dadlani told the media.

On 7 September, the Supreme Court refused to grant protection from arrest to music composer Vishal Dadlani who faced sharp criticism from several quarters including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his remarks against the Jain monk.

An FIR was lodged against Dadlani by the Ambala Cantt police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with his sarcastic Tweet on the Jain monk.

The case against Dadlani and Poonawala in Ambala was registered under several sections including 153A (promoting enmity between classes), 295A (maliciously insulting the religion or religious beliefs of any class) and 509 (uttering any word or making any gesture to insult the modesty of a woman etc) of the IPC, the police had said.

The case was registered on a complaint filed by Punit Arora, a resident of Ambala Cantonment who is said to be a follower of the monk.

The complainant alleged that the accused had intentionally hurt religious sentiments with his sarcastic Tweet on Sagar.

The Haryana government had invited the Jain monk, who appeared naked to deliver a lecture - Kadve Vachan - in the state Assembly on 26 August.

After a barrage of criticism, Dadlani had tendered an apology for his Tweet and deleted it.

He had also apologised to the Jain monk on Twitter and announced quitting "all active political work" but maintained it was his own decision to quit the party.

--With PTI inputs