Punjab: Protest erupts over Rakhi Sawant's remark on sage Valmiki

Ludhiana (Punjab) [India], Apr. 4 (ANI): Following the row over Bollywood actor Rakhi Sawant's statement about sage Valmiki that she made a year ago, a protest was held in Ludhiana on Tuesday. One of the protestors asserted that the actor needs to be punished so that she does not take the law in her hands. "Rakhi Sawant needs to be punished and strict action should be taken on time. She has hurt religious sentiments and should be penalized for it. If they are a celebrity, then they don't have the authority to say or do anything," a protestor said. During the protest, Sawant's photos and effigy were also burnt. Earlier in the day, the Bollywood actress claimed that she has been arrested for allegedly making inflammatory remarks against the sage. However, the Ludhiana Police has denied confirmation of the same. "A non-bailable warrant was issued against Rakhi Sawant from the court. To get it executed, a team from Ludhiana has been sent to Mumbai. There has been no confirmation regarding the arrest," Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh told ANI. Rakhi, further stated that she was arrested by the Punjab Police in connection with the case. Earlier on March 9, a local court in Ludhiana issued an arrest warrant against her for allegedly making inflammatory remarks against the sage, which has allegedly hurt religious sentiments of the Valmiki Community. However, denying the charges against her, Rakhi told ANI, unlike Salman Khan, she is an innocent person, who believes in doing social work. While speaking about the controversy created in the name of Valmiki, the 38-year-old actress said that she used the example of Valmiki's change of soul to explain the change in her friend and singer Mika Singh, when he was accused in an assault case. During the conversation, she even sought apology, if at all her words have hurt the sentiment of the Valmiki Community, "Through ANI, I want to apologise to all the Valmiki community brothers and sisters, if I have hurt their sentiment. But this wasn't my intention." (ANI)