Asaduddin Owaisi, the Chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), recently led a delegation of MLAs to meet with Hyderabad Commissioner CV Anand.
The primary aim of this meeting was to demand legal action against Yati Narsinghanand, a priest from a temple in Dasna, Ghaziabad. Owaisi and his team expressed their concerns over Narsinghanand's alleged hate speech, which included derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad.
In a press statement following the meeting, Owaisi emphasised the seriousness of the situation, saying that Narsinghanand's comments were not just blasphemous but also hurtful to the sentiments of millions of Muslims across India.
He pointed out that Narsinghanand has a history of making inflammatory statements and has even been jailed in the past for similar offences. Given this context, Owaisi asserted that immediate action should be taken against him to prevent further incitement of hatred and unrest.
Moreover, Owaisi raised concerns about a recently surfaced video featuring a friend of Narsinghanand, who allegedly discussed plans to burn an effigy of the Prophet. He described these actions as attempts to incite communal discord in the country.
"They want to create trouble in the country," Owaisi stated, referring to the broader implications of such comments on societal harmony. He accused those making these remarks of trying to weaken the nation and undermining the rule of law.
During the meeting with Commissioner Anand, Owaisi's delegation also called for the removal of the derogatory content from social media platforms, indicating that such statements should not be allowed to spread unchecked.
He criticised the lack of condemnation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding Narsinghanand’s comments, suggesting that the party may be tacitly supporting such behaviour.
The police in Hyderabad have been receiving numerous complaints against Narsinghanand. According to Madannapet Circle Inspector Srinivas, various petitions have been filed at different police stations.
Some local AIMIM party leaders presented their complaints to the police late at night, and a General Diary (GD) entry was made to ensure proper documentation of the incident. He confirmed that the police would notify their superior officers, who would then take the necessary steps to register the case at the appropriate location.
The seriousness of the allegations against Narsinghanand is underscored by the response from law enforcement. Falaknuma Assistant Commissioner of Police Yadgiri noted that he too had received complaints about the hate speech, indicating a growing concern within the community.
Additionally, Nampally Circle Inspector Appala Naidu confirmed that a complaint was filed by TPCC Secretary Rashed Khan, which stated that Narsinghanand's remarks suggested burning the Prophet instead of Ravana, a statement that deeply offended many.
The situation remains sensitive, with Owaisi urging Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take decisive action against Narsinghanand and to address the broader issues of hate speech and communal tensions in the country. He stressed that in Islam, there are no images of God, making discussions around burning effigies particularly offensive.
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