Chhattisgarh police on Thursday arrested Hindu religious leader Kalicharan Maharaj from neighbouring Madhya Pradesh over his alleged derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi, an official said.

The action triggered a slugfest between BJP-governed Madhya Pradesh and the Congress government in Chhattisgarh.

Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra claimed the action was a violation of inter-state protocol, a charge denied by Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel who asked Mishra whether he was happy or sad with the arrest of a person who had “abused” Gandhi.

Baghel also said action would be taken against those using abusive language against the Father of the Nation, who gave the message of peace and non-violence to the world.

Acting on a specific input, a team from Raipur police apprehended Kalicharan alias Abhijeet Dhananjay Saraag around 4am from a rented room near the Bageshwar Dham, 25km from Khajuraho town, Raipur superintendent of police Prashant Agrawal said.

“Three teams of Raipur police were sent to trace Kalicharan in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. The seven-member team that was sent to Madhya Pradesh got success and arrested Kalicharan near Khajuraho, where he was staying in a rented room,” the officer added.

Kalicharan was in the evening sent to two days’ police remand till January 1, the officer said.

Mishra, the Madhya Pradesh home minister, termed Chhattisgarh police’s action “highly objectionable”.

“We have objections to the way Chhattisgarh acted in the matter. It is a violation of inter-state protocol, which the Chhattisgarh Congress government should not have done. The federal structure do not allow such an action,” Mishra, a Hindutva hardliner known for issuing threats to those he perceives as hurting Hindu sentiments, told reporters in Bhopal when asked about Kalicharan’s arrest.

“They should have informed us. If they wanted, they could have summoned him (Kalicharan) by sending a notice. I have asked the Madhya Pradesh director-general of police to immediately talk to Chhattisgarh’s DGP and register a strong protest over the way this arrest was effected and seek an explanation,” the minister said.

Baghel denied any violation of protocols.

“Narottam Mishraji should first say whether he is happy or sad with the arrest of the person who abused Mahatma Gandhi. No rules were violated and action was taken as per legal provisions,” he said.

Baghel also shared a video clip on his Twitter handle in which he said action would be taken against those who use derogatory words against the Father of the Nation.

“Mahatma Gandhi gave the message of peace, brotherhood, love, truth, non-violence and equality to the world, and if anyone uses abusive language against such a legendary person, then action will be taken against him. Chhattisgarh police have taken action. His (Kalicharan’s) family members and lawyer have been informed and he will be produced in a court within 24 hours,” Baghel said.

On Sunday, an FIR was registered against Kalicharan in Raipur for allegedly using derogatory words against Mahatma Gandhi.

A case was also registered against him at Akola in Maharashtra on Monday. Kalicharan is a resident of Shivajinagar in old city area of Akola.

Maharashtra minister Jitendra Awhad had also filed a police case in Thane city against Kalicharan on Wednesday over his alleged remarks.

During the conclusion of a two-day Dharma Sansad (religious parliament) in Raipur on Sunday evening, Kalicharan had allegedly used abusive words against Mahatma Gandhi and asked people to elect a staunch Hindu leader as the head of the government in order to protect the religion. Later in a video, Kalicharan had said he had no remorse for his comments and hailed Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse.