"Blasphemy" Lands Telangana Man In Saudi Jail

A resident of Pegadapalli mandal in Jagtial, Ponnam Shankar, who migrated to Saudi Arabia for work, was arrested by the Riyadh Police last month for his "blasphemous" posts on Facebook and other social media involving Kaaba in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The family members of Shankar approached the district authorities and informed about his arrest, and urged the authorities to bring him home safe. They told the district authorities that Shankar studied only up to sixth class and was working as a gardener in the Kingdom. Reports said that the police there had arrested Shankar for posting a Photoshopped image of Hindu God (Shiva) and the Islamic holy site on November 12, and was arrested on November 21, after thorough investigations by the local agencies.

Jagtial Collector A Sharath said that he received a petition from the family members about the arrest of Ponnam Shankar for his blasphemous post on FB through his mobile phone in November.

Sharath said that he had immediately written to the State government about the plight of accused's family - natives of Shalapalli village. He also said that the State government had written to the Ministry of External Affairs asking it to take necessary action.

The Gulf Returnees Welfare Society said that the family had approached them for assistance after Shankar's arrest. But, they advised them to approach the Collector, and added that Shankar had committed a serious crime as per Saudi Law, and he would be punished severely