Advocates Ashish Rai and Pankaj Mishra, associated with the Bombay High Court, lodged the complaint. The complainants have made a serious plea to the police. They want the authorities to consider charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These include section 295A, which deals with deliberate and malicious acts. These acts are those intended to outrage religious feelings. Section 298 covers words uttered with the intent to wound religious feelings. Section 500 pertains to defamation. Lastly, section 34 relates to acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention.

Despite the complaint, the police have not initiated a First Information Report (FIR) in this context yet. The video at the centre of the controversy shows Kapoor lighting a Christmas cake. In the video, he pours wine and liquor over the cake and exclaims “Jai Mata Di,” with his family members joining him in the chant.

Legal Implications and Public Sentiment

Ranbir Kapoor and other members of the family cut the Christmas cake
byu/Glad-Ad5911 inBollyBlindsNGossip

The complainants argue that this act was disrespectful. In Hinduism, the ritual of invoking the fire god is typically performed with reverence and precedes the invocation of other deities. The complainants assert that Kapoor and his family, by mixing the sacred chant with the use of intoxicants during a Christmas celebration, have not only disrespected the ritual but also deliberately sought to insult the religious sentiments of those who hold these practices sacred.

This incident has stirred a debate, reflecting the complexities and sensitivities surrounding religious practices and their portrayal in public life, especially by public figures. The circulation of the video and the consequent reactions highlight the thin line between personal expression and public sentiment, particularly in the context of religious beliefs and practices.