FIR Filed Against BJP Leader Ankit Tiwari for Inflammatory Remarks
Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehgarh police took decisive action by filing a First Information Report (FIR) against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ankit Tiwari. This action follows Tiwari’s inflammatory comments in support of far-right priest Yati Narasinghanand, who has previously made derogatory statements about Islam.
In a widely circulated video, Tiwari endorsed Narasinghanand’s controversial assertion that the Prophet Muhammad could be likened to Ravan, a character from Hindu mythology, arguing that Ravan committed fewer sins. Tiwari went further by calling for the burning of Muhammad’s effigy during Dussehra celebrations, asserting that “the effigy should be burned on every Dussehra.” This call for such provocative actions has sparked outrage across various communities.
The police registered the FIR in response to significant public outcry regarding Tiwari’s remarks, citing violations for promoting enmity between different religious groups and making objectionable comments about religious figures. In a statement on X, the Fatehgarh police confirmed the registration of the case and indicated that necessary legal measures were being undertaken.
Context of Narasinghanand’s Controversial Remarks
Yati Narasinghanand, known for his extremist views, previously made incendiary comments about the Prophet Muhammad. In September, he stated, “If you have to burn effigies on every Dussehra, then burn the effigies of Muhammad.” Narasinghanand’s rhetoric has a history of targeting Islam and its followers, alongside derogatory remarks about other prominent figures, including former President Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His past includes arrests related to hate speech, raising concerns about the impact of such rhetoric on communal harmony.
The Rise of Online Hate Speech in India
This incident is not an isolated case; it reflects a troubling trend of rising hate speech in India, particularly directed towards Muslims. Over recent years, Hindutva leaders and far-right BJP politicians have increasingly made inflammatory remarks, seemingly as a strategy to garner media attention and public notoriety. Reports indicate that hate speech cases have surged, with BJP-ruled states often at the forefront of these incidents.
Research highlights a dramatic escalation in anti-Muslim sentiments, with a reported 43-fold increase in such comments on online platforms like YouTube. This rapid proliferation of hate speech in the digital space underscores the mainstreaming of extremist views within the political discourse, prompting widespread concern about the implications for social cohesion in the country.
As the situation develops, the actions of law enforcement and the responses from political leaders will be crucial in determining whether such inflammatory rhetoric can be curtailed or if it will continue to escalate, further polarizing communities in India.
