The Pune city police have filed a criminal case against Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid under charges of instigating antagonism between two groups by delivering an allegedly provocative address at the ‘Elgaar Parishad’ organized by at Shaniwarwada Fort on December 31.

The FIR is registered against Mevani and Khalid under sections 153 (a) [Promoting antagonism between different groups on ground of religion, race etc], 505 (making statements contributing to public mischief, creating or promoting enmity, abhorrence or ill-will between classes) and 117 (Abetting commission of offence by the public or by more than ten persons) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Vishrambaug Wada police station lately on Wednesday night.

The case is filed based on a complaint lodged at the Deccan Gymkhana police station on January 2 by two youths Akshay Bikkad (22) and Anand Dhond (25), who rejected association with any social group or political organization.

The police said they were analyzing the speeches made by both Khalid and Mevani.

Mevani, Khalid, Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar and Radhika Vemula were among the speakers at the Parishad, which was being held to celebrate the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which 500 soldiers of the Mahar community clashes alongside the English to overwhelm the forces of Peshwa Bajirao II.