Sumayya Rana Claims House Arrest While Filing Complaint Against Yati Narsinghanand
In a recent incident in Lucknow, Sumayya Rana, daughter of the late poet Munawwar Rana and a prominent leader of the Samajwadi Party, alleged that she and several women activists were subjected to “house arrest” while attempting to file a police complaint against priest Yati Narsinghanand. The complaint pertains to his allegedly objectionable comments about Prophet Muhammad, which have stirred significant unrest.
Rana explained to PTI that her group aimed to file a formal complaint at the Kaiserbagh police station and subsequently hold a candlelight march at Parivartan Chowk. However, she claimed police arrived at her residence around 11:30 AM, preventing them from leaving. After requesting a senior officer’s presence, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) visited, at which point they submitted their complaint.
“We informed ACP Ratnesh Singh that if our complaint wasn’t acted upon, we would surround the police station,” Rana stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Narsinghanand’s comments, which have been widely condemned as hate speech, sparked protests not only in Ghaziabad but also across other states. Rana expressed concern over the potential for communal disharmony, stating, “His remarks not only hurt religious sentiments but could also spoil communal harmony.”
In response, ACP Singh refuted claims of house arrest, confirming that Rana had submitted her complaint. He assured that the police would take appropriate action in accordance with legal protocols. “There is no law and order issue at present,” he added, reiterating that the complaint is under review.
The ongoing situation highlights the tensions surrounding freedom of speech and religious sentiments in India, as well as the role of law enforcement in addressing hate speech. The public response to Narsinghanand’s remarks and the subsequent actions taken by activists and police will likely continue to unfold in the coming days.
