India man jailed for tweets about erotic temple statues released

Abhijit Iyer-Mitra had been in prison since 23 October

An Indian man has been released from prison after more than a month, for posting satirical tweets about erotic sculptures in a temple.

In September, Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, posted a video in which he makes disparaging comments about the famous Konark temple in the eastern state of Orissa and the people of the state.

He was arrested after two locals complained he "hurt public sentiment".

The state assembly pardoned him on Thursday.

Mr Iyer-Mitra had been facing an array of charges for his tweets about the sculptures.

Mr Iyer-Mitra posted a video from Orissa's famous Konark temple

He was accused of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and race in a place of worship, insulting religious feelings and creating "public nuisance".

He was also charged with an "obscene act in a public place" and a protection of ancient monument law was invoked to charge him with misuse of the Konark temple where he recorded his video.

The information and technology law was also used to charge him with sending offensive messages.

Soon after posting his tweets, Mr Iyer-Mitra quickly clarified that they were a joke, and the sculptures were "exquisite". However, his bail pleas were rejected both in the lower court as well as the Supreme Court.

Mr Iyer-Mitra has not commented publicly since his release.

A blow to India's 'liberal democracy'

Soutik Biswas, BBC News Delhi

The decision to put Abhijit Iyer-Mitra in prison for cracking jokes smacks of petty vindictiveness and damages India's already wobbly reputation as a liberal democracy.

Free speech appears to be in peril all around: journalists have been arrested, independent media have been under attack, internet shutdowns have become common, and cases of defamation, sedition and censorship are on the rise.

He also appeared to have become a pawn in a political game involving a prominent local MP who had fallen foul of the state's chief minister.

When he made his "objectionable" video, Mr Iyer-Mitra was a guest of Baijayant "Jay" Panda, a former member of parliament who was forced out of Orissa by chief minister Naveen Patnaik's political party.

Many believe Mr Patnaik was looking to embarrass Mr Panda and the video came in handy to do just that.

Read more from Soutik Biswas