Srinagar/Jammu: Hundreds of people on Saturday staged separate protest rallies in Jammu and Rajouri districts to press for legal action against a Hindutva priest for his “blasphemous” remarks about Prophet Muhammad (SAW), officials said.
The rallies organised by various Muslim organisations and joined by members of other communities as solidarity were taken out peacefully at Bhatindi area of Jammu and Rajouri district town, the officials said.
The protestors demanded stern action against the priest, Yati Narsinghanand, for hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims by his “hate” speech.
Senior police officers visited the protesters and assured that an FIR already stands registered against the accused in Ghaziabad (UP).
Members of other communities including Sikhs joined the protest at Bhatindi and said the government must act against people like Narsinghanand to maintain peace and communal harmony in the country.
“We have joined this protest to convey our strong resentment against the blasphemous remarks which have the potential to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the country. The government must act against the culprit in accordance with the law of the land,” state president of All India Confederation of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other backward Classes, R K Kalsotra, said.
Another participant Jasbir Singh said the Sikh community strongly condemns the remarks of the “hate-monger” who should be jailed under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) immediately.
“We appeal to the people to maintain communal harmony,” he said.
Safdar Ali, one of the leaders, said a deliberate attempt is made by the communal elements to create a wedge among the people under a conspiracy.
“It is the responsibility of the government to put such people behind bars. We hope strict action will be taken against him,” he said.
In Kashmir also, Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU), an amalgam of various religious bodies, condemned the remarks made by Narsinghanand, and demanded his immediate arrest.
The MMU, which is headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, strongly said such “blasphemous” statements are completely unacceptable to Muslims and all those who believe in respect for religious personalities and prophets.
“The agenda of these evil people, who deliberately hurt the sentiments of Muslims, is to provoke, spread hate and incite communal violence among communities. As there are no consequences for them, such elements indulge in these outrageous acts and get away with them,” the MMU said in a statement.
It said despite his track record as a “hate monger”, “this man is out on bail which raises serious concerns about the intention of those in-charge of maintaining communal harmony.”
“We demand his immediate arrest and the cancellation of his bail at the earliest. The sanctity of our faith must be respected, and the law must take its course to hold such offenders accountable,” the statement added. (With inputs from PTI)
Narsinghanand detained, claims aide; Security stepped up at Dasna temple after protest against his remarks
Controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand has been detained for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), his aides claimed on Saturday even as the police here remained tightlipped on the issue.
A large crowd had gathered outside the Dasna Devi temple here, where he presides, protesting against him on Friday night after videos of his inflammatory remarks appeared online, following which security was stepped up around the premises.
His close aide and general secretary of Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati Foundation Udita Tyagi claimed he has been detained over allegations of making objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammed during a programme held at Hindi Bhavan of Ghaziabad on September 29 and his whereabouts are not known.
When asked about it, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari said, “We are looking for the security of the temple and we have no idea about his detention”.
Heavy police deployment has been made outside the Dasna temple to avoid any untoward incident, the police said.
An FIR has been lodged against 150 people on the complaint of Dasna police outpost in-charge sub-inspector Bhanu at Wave City police station over the protest outside the temple.
The police have issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) barring the assembly of five or more people in the district.
DCP city zone Rajesh Kumar Singh told PTI that “ample police force and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel have been deployed in Kaila Bhatta” area, which has a considerable Muslim population.
An FIR was registered against the priest in Maharashtra’s Amravati city and police complaints were filed in several states after his remarks sparked protests.
Narsinghanand has several cases against him, including for allegedly making a hate speech at a conclave in Haridwar in December 2021, and was out on bail.
