“Derogatory, Communal”: Delhi High Court Orders Action Against Rana Ayyub Over X Posts on Hindu Deities and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | April 8, 2026:: In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has taken serious note of certain past social media posts by journalist Rana Ayyub, describing them as “highly derogatory, inflammatory and communal,” and directing authorities to take appropriate action.

The observations came during a hearing before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, who issued notices to Ayyub, the social media platform X, and the Delhi Police, seeking their responses to a petition highlighting the tweets in question.

Court Calls for Urgent Action

The Court emphasized the need for urgent consideration of the matter, noting that the tweets—posted between 2013 and 2017—prima facie appeared to have communal overtones. It directed the Delhi Police to coordinate with X and the Central government to ensure necessary steps are taken.

“The action is necessary in view of the highly derogatory, inflammatory and communal tweets,” the Court observed, adding that an FIR has already been registered pursuant to orders of a competent court.

The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on April 10, with directions for all respondents to file their replies promptly.

Background of the Case

The proceedings arise from a plea filed by advocate Amita Sachdeva, who had earlier approached a trial court in Saket seeking criminal action against Ayyub. Acting on her complaint, the trial court directed the registration of an FIR and initiation of an investigation.

Sachdeva’s petition alleges that several tweets by Ayyub insulted Hindu deities such as Ram and Sita, as well as historical figure Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, and were capable of promoting communal disharmony.

Advocate Sachdeva’s Legal Pursuit Since 2024

Advocate Amita Sachdeva has been pursuing legal action in this matter since November 2024, when she formally filed a criminal complaint against Rana Ayyub. The complaint alleged repeated defamatory and provocative posts targeting Hindu deities, spreading anti-India sentiments, and maligning the Indian Army.

In a public statement shared on social media platform X, Sachdeva asserted, “Such behavior is unacceptable and hurts the sentiments of millions.” Her complaint eventually led to judicial directions for the registration of an FIR and further investigation into the matter.

Content of the Disputed Tweets

According to the petition, six tweets posted between 2013 and 2017 have been flagged. These include:

• In  2013 tweet Ayyub compared mythological figures Ram and Ravana in a bad light. The 2013 tweet by Ayyub read, “Ravana didn’t touch Sita even though he could. Ram didn’t stand for Sita even though he should have. Ravana 1 Ram 0.”
• In October 2014, Ayyub quoted a couplet by Ali Sardar Jafri which read, “Gareeb Sita ke ghar pe kab tak rahegi Ravan ki hukmrani, Draupadi ka libas uske badan se kab tak chhina karega”.
• Further, in 2015, Ayyub tweeted about Savarkar.

The tweet said, “So Veer Savarkar advocated rape as necessary component of Hindutva nationalism.”

In another tweet on Savarkar, Ayyub said, “Was reading Nathuram Godse’s account of Savarkar & wondering if we shud continue to honour the terrorist sympathiser”

• In 2016, Ayyub posted a tweet with the picture of a boy will injuries on his face. The tweet criticized the actions attributed to the Indian Army in a conflict context.

The petitioner has argued that these posts hurt religious sentiments and carried implications that could disturb communal harmony.

Police Response

During the hearing, the Delhi Police informed the Court that the tweets in question are no longer available on X. However, the Court maintained that the issue requires examination in light of the FIR already registered and the seriousness of the allegations.

Broader Context

The case highlights ongoing legal and societal debates around freedom of expression, historical interpretation, and the limits imposed by laws relating to hate speech and communal harmony in India. The Court’s directive signals a closer judicial scrutiny of social media content, even if posted years earlier, when it is alleged to have caused offence or social discord.

Further proceedings on April 10 are expected to clarify the next course of action, including responses from the concerned parties and the scope of the investigation.
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_Agency Inputs.