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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

YouTuber challenges FIR, LoC in HC

Mumbai : The Bombay High Court issued notice to the state government on a petition filed by UK-based medico and YouTuber, Dr. Sangram Patil, seeking to quash a Mumbai Police FIR and revoking a Look Out Circular in a criminal case lodged against him, on Thursday.   Justice Ashwin D. Bhobe, who heard the matter with preliminary submissions from both sides, sought a response from the state government and posted the matter for Feb. 4.   Maharashtra Advocate-General Milind Sathe informed the court...

YouTuber challenges FIR, LoC in HC

Mumbai : The Bombay High Court issued notice to the state government on a petition filed by UK-based medico and YouTuber, Dr. Sangram Patil, seeking to quash a Mumbai Police FIR and revoking a Look Out Circular in a criminal case lodged against him, on Thursday.   Justice Ashwin D. Bhobe, who heard the matter with preliminary submissions from both sides, sought a response from the state government and posted the matter for Feb. 4.   Maharashtra Advocate-General Milind Sathe informed the court that the state would file its reply within a week in the matter.   Indian-origin Dr. Patil, hailing from Jalgaon, is facing a criminal case here for posting allegedly objectionable content involving Bharatiya Janata Party leaders on social media.   After his posts on a FB page, ‘Shehar Vikas Aghadi’, a Mumbai BJP media cell functionary lodged a criminal complaint following which the NM Joshi Marg Police registered a FIR (Dec. 18, 2025) and subsequently issued a LoC against Dr. Patil, restricting his travels.   The complainant Nikhil Bhamre filed the complaint in December 2025, contending that Dr. Patil on Dec. 14 posted offensive content intended to spread ‘disinformation and falsehoods’ about the BJP and its leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.   Among others, the police invoked BNSS Sec. 353(2) that attracts a 3-year jail term for publishing or circulating statements or rumours through electronic media with intent to promote enmity or hatred between communities.   Based on the FIR, Dr. Patil was detained and questioned for 15 hours when he arrived with his wife from London at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Jan. 10), and again prevented from returning to Manchester, UK on Jan. 19 in view of the ongoing investigations.   On Wednesday (Jan. 21) Dr. Patil recorded his statement before the Mumbai Police and now he has moved the high court. Besides seeking quashing of the FIR and the LoC, he has sought removal of his name from the database imposing restrictions on his international travels.   Through his Senior Advocate Sudeep Pasbola, the medico has sought interim relief in the form of a stay on further probe by Crime Branch-III and coercive action, restraint on filing any charge-sheet during the pendency of the petition and permission to go back to the UK.   Pasbola submitted to the court that Dr. Patil had voluntarily travelled from the UK to India and was unaware of the FIR when he landed here. Sathe argued that Patil had appeared in connection with other posts and was not fully cooperating with the investigators.

Sanskrit’s Enduring Legacy

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Sanskrit’s Enduring Legacy

Sanskrit, an ancient language with profound cultural and intellectual significance, is often hailed as the “mother of all languages.” Its influence extends beyond its historical context, impacting many modern languages and fields of study. Among its contributions are the well-known Indian phrase, Atithi Devo Bhava, (The guest is God) and Karma, a globally recognised concept referring to the idea that a person’s actions directly influence their future experiences. Both terms originate from the Sanskrit language.

With a rich literary heritage that includes the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, Sanskrit has significantly influenced modern languages, particularly those in the Indo-European family. Its precise grammar and extensive vocabulary have made it a subject of study for centuries, and its mathematical structure even draws parallels with modern computer programming.

While there are no native speakers of Sanskrit today, it remains a revered ceremonial and ritual language in Hindu and Buddhist hymns and chants. Beyond its literary and religious significance, Sanskrit embodies a vast repository of knowledge in various fields, including science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and art. Its systematic approach to language has contributed to our understanding of various disciplines, reflecting its timeless relevance.

Organisations like Samskrita Bharati actively preserved and promoted this rich heritage. For over 43 years, Samskrita Bharati has played a pivotal role in teaching and revitalising Sanskrit, both within India and globally. Known for its unique direct method of instruction—teaching Sanskrit without translation—the organisation’s flagship program is a popular ten-day free conversation camp that has been running for decades.

Participants can advance their studies through classroom or distance education programs like Geetakendram and Patradwara Samskritam. For children, Samskrita Bharati offers structured programs such as Balkendram (fun learning) and Devavaani (textbook-based curriculum). Learning Sanskrit also helps improve proficiency in regional languages like Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati.

`With over 4,000 locations in India and 25 countries globally, Samskrita Bharati engages with influential figures through initiatives like the “Sampark Saptaah” campaign. The organisation arranges conferences every three years and celebrates Samskrit Day on the full moon of the Shravan month. This year, Samskrit Day is on August 19, 2024, and will be observed as part of Samskrit Week from August 16 to 22, 2024.

As we look forward to events like Samskrit Week, we are reminded of the enduring power of this ancient language to inspire, connect, and unify us across cultures and time. Its legacy not only bridges the past with the present but also offers a timeless source of wisdom and cultural continuity.

(The writer is an official of Sanskrit Bharti. Views personal.)

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