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| Indian businessman on joke charge | Indian businessman on joke charge |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Police in India have registered a criminal case against a leading businessman for allegedly circulating a joke insulting the Sikh community. | Police in India have registered a criminal case against a leading businessman for allegedly circulating a joke insulting the Sikh community. |
| Anil Ambani was charged by the police in northern Uttar Pradesh state with "insulting a religion or faith". | Anil Ambani was charged by the police in northern Uttar Pradesh state with "insulting a religion or faith". |
| Mr Ambani is one of India's most powerful businessmen. | Mr Ambani is one of India's most powerful businessmen. |
| A local Sikh leader had filed a complaint against Mr Ambani after his mobile telephone network allegedly circulated a joke about Sikhs. | A local Sikh leader had filed a complaint against Mr Ambani after his mobile telephone network allegedly circulated a joke about Sikhs. |
| Mr Rajendra Singh Bagga said in his complaint that the joke was being circulated by text on Mr Ambani's mobile telephone network, Reliance Communications. | Mr Rajendra Singh Bagga said in his complaint that the joke was being circulated by text on Mr Ambani's mobile telephone network, Reliance Communications. |
| "We are a martial race. We fought for defending Hinduism and this joke is very insulting," Mr Bagga said. | "We are a martial race. We fought for defending Hinduism and this joke is very insulting," Mr Bagga said. |
| 'Disgusting' | 'Disgusting' |
| A police official told the BBC that insulting a religion or faith could carry a punishment of three years in prison or a fine, if proved. | A police official told the BBC that insulting a religion or faith could carry a punishment of three years in prison or a fine, if proved. |
| Earlier, members of the Sikh community in the city of Meerut held protests against the network allegedly circulating the joke. | Earlier, members of the Sikh community in the city of Meerut held protests against the network allegedly circulating the joke. |
| Reports said that the joke had been sourced from a website well known for its collection of jokes around the Sikh community. | Reports said that the joke had been sourced from a website well known for its collection of jokes around the Sikh community. |
| Community leaders say that Mr Ambani should apologise for circulating a "disgusting" joke. | Community leaders say that Mr Ambani should apologise for circulating a "disgusting" joke. |
| But many others say that the registration of a criminal case against the businessman could have a political dimension. | But many others say that the registration of a criminal case against the businessman could have a political dimension. |
| Anil Ambani is known to be close to the opposition Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, while the complainant Mr Bagga is known to be close to the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief minister, Ms Mayawati. | Anil Ambani is known to be close to the opposition Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, while the complainant Mr Bagga is known to be close to the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief minister, Ms Mayawati. |
| After coming to power this summer, Ms Mayawati's government swiftly cast doubt over the future of a special economic zone Anil Ambani is planning in the state. | After coming to power this summer, Ms Mayawati's government swiftly cast doubt over the future of a special economic zone Anil Ambani is planning in the state. |
| Mr Ambani's Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group is among India's top three private business houses with interests in communications, financial services, electricity, infrastructure and entertainment. |