Despite SC order, Narsinghanand spews hate and threats against Muslim community
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Despite the Supreme Court order to ensure no hate speech is made by Dasna temple head Yati Narsinghanand, the ultra-right leader was heard spewing hatred targeting the Muslim community at the World’s Religion Parliament held in Haridwar on December 20.
The saffron-clad priest, flanked by right-wing members, issued a veiled threat of violence, alluding to a controversial statement made years ago by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi.
This comment, made by Owaisi in 2012, had sparked outrage when he allegedly challenged the police to leave for 15 minutes, allowing the Muslim community to demonstrate its strength, siasat.com reported.
Narsinghanand's speech at the event was met with applause and slogans of "Har Har Mahadev" from the audience. He further stirred controversy by expressing his willingness to sacrifice his family for the cause of Sanatan Dharma, an ideology linked to the promotion of Hindu nationalism.
The 58-year-old priest, who has a long history of making communally charged statements, has targeted prominent Muslim figures and made derogatory comments about Islam. In October, Narsinghanand suggested burning effigies of the Prophet Muhammad during the Dussehra festival.
He has repeatedly called for the establishment of an "Akhand Hindu Rashtra," invoking the names of historical figures like Veer Savarkar and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, while making controversial claims about the Kaaba in Mecca.
Despite facing multiple legal challenges and FIRs filed in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana, Narsinghanand continues to make provocative statements without significant legal repercussions.
His ability to evade action has drawn criticism, with critics accusing the Uttar Pradesh police of selective enforcement, pointing out that marginalized groups and journalists who report on hate crimes often face swift legal action, while individuals like Narsinghanand remain largely unscathed.
The controversy surrounding Narsinghanand escalated when, on December 19, the Supreme Court of India declined to hear a petition regarding his recent Dharam Sansad, a gathering scheduled from December 17 to 21, where hate speeches were allegedly made.
However, the Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh administration to adhere to the established guidelines on hate speech. A group of former civil servants and activists subsequently filed a contempt petition, arguing that such events, especially those promoting hate speech, could lead to communal unrest in the region.