Srinagar: The Ulemas (Muslim scholars) of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh Sunday wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah in a jointly letter, urging an immediate and firm action against the Hindutva priest, Yati Narsinghanand for his derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Asking for his urgent attention to the issue which has affected the sentiments of millions of Muslims across India and beyond, the scholars said that Narsinghanand’s remarks have caused severe emotional distress to the Muslim community.
The Hindutva priest’s remarks have a potential to create widespread unrest across the country, the scholars said.
Asserting that freedom of speech is a fundamental right, the scholars said it cannot be “a license to spread hate and cause deep hurt to the religious sentiments and of an entire community.”
“India is a land of many religions and ethnicities, where respect for all religions should be paramount. Such remarks are not only offensive but also divisive and pose a threat to communal harmony and peace,” reads the letter.
“We demand that the Government of India take appropriate legal action against Yati Narsinghanand for his hate-filled comments in accordance with the law and constitution of the land and respect the sanctity of our faith,” urged the Muslim scholars.
They said an immediate and firm action in this matter will send a strong message that hate speech and incitement to violence have no place in a civilised society.
“It will also serve as a reassurance to the Muslim community that their faith and values are respected and protected under the law. We hope that you will address this sensitive matter with utmost seriousness and that necessary steps will be taken to restore peace and harmony among all communities,” it added.
