Punjab: NRI lyricist held for 2019 song that hurt dera

JALANDHAR: An NRI lyricist was arrested on Saturday for an "anti-dera" song he wrote in 2019. Spanish resident Pawan Mehmi, who follows Bhimrao Ambedkar, was picked up from Hadiabad near Phagwara, where a Dalit group was celebrating anniversary of the Constitution's drafting.
In March 2019, Jalandhar-based Guru Ravidas Tiger Force president Amit 'Jassi Talhan' had lodged an FIR under Section 295-A (hurting religious sentiments) of the IPC at Patara against singer Jiwan Mehmi, alleging that he had abused the deras in a song. Later, lyricist Pawan Mehmi was also booked.
Ambedkar Sena Moolniwasi president Harbhajan Suman, who supports Mehmi, said: "While the singer got bail, Pawan was declared a proclaimed offender since he was abroad."