Few Questions to be answered before arresting Gehna Vashist

Model Gehna Vashisht has been arrested by Pune Police for wearing a bikini made from National Flag Tiranga.

Vandana Ravindra Tiwari aka Gehna Vashisht who hails from Mumbai, did a photoshoot in April in which she was seen wearing a Tiranga Bikini at some beach. Later that pic was posted on Facebook. Some media channels highlighted this isue following which she was publicly assaulted by a group of Self Acclaimed Patriots.

Later a FIR was lodged against her at Pune and she has been arrested. Notably, the FIR was lodged by Ravindra V. Brahmo, National Secretary of Lok Janshakti party floated by Ram Vilas Paswan who hails from Bihar.

Various question arises out of this whole episode which needs to be answered before porceeding further.

1. Gehna has publicly apologized and termed it as a mistake. Is this crime that much serious that she be punished for this? Considering that she is only 23 years old, a public apology should sufficient.

2. Indian Flag Tiranga was publicly burnt at Lal Chowk Srinagar on Indpendence Day, yet no action was ever taken. Why these activitsts never raise a single hue and cry over that episode? Why no FIR was ever registered for burning of Tiranga, which is a more serious offense? Should I call it Vote Bank Politics?

3. The photoshoot was done in April and that too was a non-commercial one, taken only by friends. The issue was raised by Media in July after some reporter saw it on Facebook. The same media remained entirely silent during Anna Hazare’s Campaign this July. All efforts were made to nullify the movement. Except for 1-2 news channels most of them aired different issues while Anna and Arvind Kejriwal were Fasting. Is corruption not an insult to our Democracy? Is supressing a rightful agitation not an insult to the Nation?

4. Gehna was publicly assualted by a group of Right Wingers. Her car was stone pelted and everthing was recorded in a video. Why no FIR was lodged against this? Whether she has committed a crime or not has to be decided in courts, not on roads. Is not assaulting a woman, a crime as per our laws? Why no Women Rights Organization ever raised this issue?

5. People paint their Body with National Flag during Cricket Matches. In 2007, two images showing the Indian national flag at the feet of Divine Guru Niramala Mata (with her husband, a retired IFS Officer seated beside) were circulated on social network Orkut. Her office had tendered an apology on her behalf. Why these Social Activists remained mum over that issue? Why no FIR was lodged against her by these activists? Of Course, she was a Yoga preacher of International repute with offices in 140 countries, while Gehna Vashisht is a small model.

6. In 2002, Two former Chief Ministers of Bihar Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi were caught in Camera sitting while National Anthem was being played and everyone else was standing. Was it a less disrespect to our nation ? We never heard any such hue or outcry made by Activists or no one could have dared to assault them like Gehna Vashisht was publicly assaulted or injured. Why no FIR was raised by Brahme, whose party is a partner of Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav ?

What Gehna did cannot be justified on any grounds, but the reaction shown by activists and media is much surprising or rather an unprecedented one.

According to Police, Bramhe had allegedly seen on Youtube that Gehna had tied the tricolour around her waist. He had lodged the complaint against her on July 16, 2012. Gehna was arrested under section 2 (insult to Indian national flag and Constitution of India) of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Inspector (crime) S G Kenjale is investigating further. Police said, “We don’t know when the incident had taken place as Bramhe had not given any information in this regard. We will produce Gehna before a magisterial court on Sunday”.