Indian police have arrested a Hindu religious leader on charges of using inappropriate language and praising his killer, the father of India's nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
According to the foreign news agency AP, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in 1948 in the Indian capital by a Hindu extremist out of sympathy for Muslims.
Religious leader Kali Charan Maharaj has been arrested from the state of Madhya Pradesh this week on charges of spreading hatred against Mahatma Gandhi among religious groups, police officer Prashant told Press Trust of India.
According to media reports, Kali Charan Maharaj said in his statement that "Gandhi destroyed the country ... Greetings to Nathuram Godse who killed him.
The arrested religious leader will be produced in court after the police complete the investigation. Kali Charan Maharaj could face up to five years in prison if convicted.
Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, India has seen an increase in hatred and attacks by Hindu extremists against Muslims and other minority communities.
Opposition parties in India have also demanded that the government arrest Hindu extremists who make hate speech against Muslims.
