Woman held for terming India's BJP 'fascist'

Could not ignore a "terrorist", party leader says

An Indian woman was arrested on Monday for terming India's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "fascist".

Student Sofia Lois was returning to Tamil Nadu from Canada when she encountered the BJP politician Tamilisai Soundararajan at Tuticorin airport.

The politician's counsel said Lois was initially asked to apologise. A complaint was filed against her for 'causing hurt and inconvenience' after she refused.

The politician reportedly told The Indian Express she was left intimidated by Lois. "No innocent girl will use that word. I questioned her. She replied that she has the right to freedom of expression. She shouted 'down with BJP's fascist government' and raised her fist. I thought I shouldn't ignore a terrorist and filed a petition," the BJP politico is quoted as having remarked.

"After we landed, Sofia saw the BJP leader and said 'fascist BJP government down, down'. She didn't utter a word other than that," the student's father told reporters.

A viral video of the incident of sparked social media uproar. Lois, originally sent on 15-day judicial remand, was granted bail on Tuesday.

This article originally appeared in BBC.