Yati Narsinghanand Detained Amid Outcry Over Inflammatory Remarks Against Prophet Muhammad
In response to widespread protests across India, far-right Hindu priest Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati has been detained by the Ghaziabad police in Uttar Pradesh following his controversial statements regarding Prophet Muhammad. The mahant of Dasna Devi Temple, Narsinghanand was taken into custody after an FIR was lodged against him for allegedly making blasphemous comments during a speech on September 29.
Reports indicate that he has been placed in the Ghaziabad Police Lines, although footage of his detention has not been released for precautionary reasons. The uproar began after clips of his speech surfaced on social media, prompting significant backlash. In his remarks, he suggested that Hindus should burn effigies of Muhammad, a statement many considered highly inflammatory.
Protests erupted in various cities, including Hyderabad and Ghaziabad, with local leaders demanding immediate legal action to uphold communal harmony. Prominent political figures, such as Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), announced plans to take legal action against Narsinghanand. Owaisi criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly supporting individuals who insult religious figures, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, led by Maulana Mahmood Madani, also condemned Narsinghanand’s remarks and urged the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene. The organization highlighted the potential for communal discord resulting from such hate speech and called for prompt legal action.
The FIR against Narsinghanand was filed under Section 295 A of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses offenses related to religious sentiments. Triveendra Singh, a policeman at Sihani Gate police station, lodged the complaint, stating that the video promoting hate speech would be thoroughly examined before further action.
Narsinghanand has a history of making derogatory statements about Muslims and Islam, facing multiple legal challenges in the past for similar offenses. His recent comments have reignited discussions on religious intolerance and the need for accountability in political and religious discourse in India.
