A former IAS official R Christodas Gandhi on Wednesday was booked by the Chintadripet police on charges of hurting religious sentiments for his alleged remarks against Lord Ram.

Hindu Munnani secretary Padmarajan filed a complaint after Christodas allegedly made the comment in a debate on October 15 that was shown in a TV news channel, according to a report in The Times of India.

Christodas’ remark was widely condemned after it went viral in the social media following the show.

The case was filed against him under Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), and 153A1(a) (promotes or attempts to promote, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities) of the IPC.

Christodas meanwhile clarified in a statement and said “I have never made any comments against any deity hurting the sentiments of any particular religion. I only mentioned in the debate that in a secular country atheists also have a place to express an opinion. I don't recall making any reference to any deity. I only hope for a peaceful co-existence.”