The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought action against the news channel Aaj Tak and its anchor Anjana Om Kashyap for allegedly airing derogatory content about Maharishi Valmiki.
The Division Bench, led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry, found no substance in the plea, which was subsequently withdrawn by the petitioner. The Court's oral observations during the hearing highlighted the complex boundary between historical facts and mythological beliefs.
The petition, filed by Honey Balu, took exception to a broadcast where it was allegedly stated that "Bhagwan Maharishi Valmiki Ji was earlier a dacoit named Ratnakar who looted travellers."
- Petitioner's Argument: The plea contended that there is no historical, scriptural, or literary evidence to support the claim that the revered sage was ever a dacoit. The petitioner argued that such a portrayal hurt the religious sentiments of the Valmiki community and violated sections of the IPC (295A, 153A) and the SC/ST Act.
- Relief Sought: The PIL demanded the removal of the video from all platforms, a public apology, and disciplinary action against the broadcaster.
When the petitioner argued that the "dacoit" theory lacks historical backing, the Bench posed a fundamental question regarding the nature of the claim.
Chief Justice Sheel Nagu reportedly asked:
"You are talking about history or mythology?... You can't get any proof for mythology. How do you say what they said is correct or not when you yourself said it is not part of history?"
The Court implied that disputes over mythological narratives are not easily adjudicable in a court of law, as they rely on faith and tradition rather than verifiable historical records. Finding the arguments unconvincing for a judicial intervention under writ jurisdiction, the Court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the plea, effectively dismissing the case.
This is not the first time the "Valmiki as Dacoit" narrative has reached the courts.
- In 2010, the Punjab & Haryana High Court itself had observed in a different case that there was no historical evidence in Vedic literature to suggest Maharishi Valmiki was a dacoit.
- In 2024, the same High Court quashed an FIR against an actor for similar remarks, observing that the "transformation from Nar to Narayan" is a part of folklore intended to highlight the power of redemption, rather than to insult.
However, in this specific PIL against the news channel, the Court declined to issue directions for censorship or apology.