Ghaziabad: Protests, FIRs over Yati Narsinghanand’s alleged video

The Ghaziabad police on Thursday filed a suo motu FIR and booked Narsinghanand for allegedly making derogatory remarks intended to hurt the sentiments of people of a “particular community” at an event on September 29 at Hindi Bhawan, Lohiya Nagar, Ghaziabad .

The sections covered by the FIRs filed on Friday and Saturday included Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 298 (hurting or defiling places of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 353 (utterances which cause public mischief), 191(2) (riot), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty), 121(1) (voluntary injury or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from his duty). ) and 221 (obstruction of an official in the performance of his duties). public functions).

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (Rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari said there had been no arrests or detentions in connection with the incident as of late Saturday evening. The clarification by the DCP came after rumors emerged that Narsinghanand had been arrested.

The video at the center of the debate, according to locals, showed Narsinghanand making “hate speeches” that hurt the sentiments of Muslims.

However, HT was unable to independently confirm the video’s accuracy.

According to Jamiat Ulama (Ghaziabad) President Maulana Mohammad Shaban Qasmi, Narsinghanand’s statements about Prophet Muhammad hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims and they met senior police officials and urged them to take legal action as soon as possible.

“His alleged video also went viral on social media and some groups from our community also went out to express their displeasure…We have urged people from our community not to resort to any form of protest or against any religion or theirs to express faith,” he added.

Qasmi said a meeting was called near Dasna and a group of youths took the main road on their way to Dasna Devi Temple on Friday evening. “The group was about to attend a meeting and as they were passing by the Dasna temple, unfounded rumors were spread. The meeting was eventually cancelled… However, we aim for legal action to be taken against Yati Narsinghanand as soon as possible,” he added.

However, police filed a complaint at the Wave City Police Station on Saturday against 100 to 150 unidentified people over the “march” to the temple and subsequent stone-pelting allegations.

“Around 100-150 people gathered outside the Dasna temple and raised slogans. When stopped by the police, they resorted to throwing stones with sticks in their hands, preventing them from carrying out their official duties,” it said.

The deputy commissioner of police (DCP) for the rural zone (under whose jurisdiction Dasna Devi temple falls) said on Saturday that the FIRs had been lodged against the protesters.

The official said members of both communities were reassured after holding meetings with them and urged them to maintain peace and harmony.

“There were protests following Yati Narsinghanand’s comments and we have lodged FIRs at various police stations in such cases. “The suspects involved will be identified in due course,” he said, adding: “Yati Narsinghanand is not with the police.”

Another suo motu FIR was lodged at Masuri police station stating, “25 to 30 people had gathered and burnt an effigy near Khajoor Mosque. This was aimed at stoking hostility between the two religious communities.”

Another suo motu FIR was lodged by the police on Saturday against one named and 20 to 25 other unidentified persons at the Kotwali police station in the city area under BNS Section 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race etc .) submitted.

It said the suspect and others planned to gather and present members of the Muslim community with a memorandum against previous alleged statements by Narsighanand.

“When I reached there at around 6.45pm, the suspect was making hate speeches to disrupt communal harmony after gathering people from the Muslim community. This triggered anger among members of the Muslim community,” the FIR said.

HT tried to get detailed answers about the events that have transpired since Narsinghanand’s alleged comments. Kalpana Saxena and Dinesh Kumar P, both additional police commissioners, did not respond to calls on Saturday.

“Yati Narsinghanand is not with us…As far as the FIR against Yati Narsighanand (registered on October 3 at Sihani Gate police station in the city area), we are investigating. Forensic analysis of the alleged video is currently being carried out and statements from the organizers etc. are also being recorded. We are investigating the case,” said Rajesh Kumar, DCP (city zone).

Narsinghanand could not be reached by phone for comment on Saturday.

On Friday, Narsinghanand had spoken to HT about the September 29 event at the Hindi Bhawan and said, “I did not make any inappropriate remarks or comments that could hurt anyone’s feelings. If necessary, I will clarify in court that what I said was correct.”

The Ghaziabad Assembly seat is set to go to a by-election in the coming weeks.