yati-narsinghanand-controversy-sparks-fir-against-zubair

Mohammed Zubair, a well-known fact-checker and co-founder of Alt News, has found himself at the centre of a significant controversy following the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against him for allegedly inciting an Islamist mob against Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, the chief pujari of Dasna mandir.

 

The FIR was filed in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on October 7, 2024, and accuses Zubair of spreading hate and igniting violence through his social media posts.

 

The incident traces back to a speech delivered by Yati Narsinghanand on September 29 at Hindi Bhavan in Lohia Nagar. The speech, which later went viral, was described as derogatory towards Prophet Muhammad, leading to heightened tensions.

 

Following this, Zubair tweeted about the speech, labelling it as "derogatory" and "hateful," particularly in reference to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.

 

His posts allegedly incited protests on October 4, where Islamist mobs gathered, shouting inflammatory slogans against Narsinghanand.

 

Dr Udita Tyagi, a prominent Hindu activist, filed the FIR against Zubair at Kavi Nagar police station. In her complaint, she claimed that Zubair orchestrated a campaign to incite Muslims through "provocative" and "misleading" tweets.

 

 

 

Tyagi accused Zubair of editing and sharing clips of Narsinghanand's speeches to provoke violence and alleged that he consistently spreads hatred against Hindus, thereby encouraging fundamentalist elements through his posts.

 

The complaint highlighted that Tyagi herself had faced death threats following Zubair's social media activity, underscoring the unrest that had ensued at the Dasna Temple. This situation had escalated to the point where both she and Narsinghanand narrowly escaped potential violence. Based on the FIR, Zubair has been charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

 

The controversy surrounding Zubair echoes similar incidents from the past, notably his involvement in the Nupur Sharma case in 2022.

 

In that instance, a video clip of Sharma's remarks about Prophet Muhammad, taken out of context, sparked widespread protests and diplomatic tensions. Critics of Zubair have pointed out that his selective focus on inflammatory remarks often ignites communal discord.

 

In the latest incident, after Zubair's tweet about Narsinghanand's speech gained traction, various far-left activists and Islamist groups mobilised online, calling for action against him. Samiullah Khan, a known provocateur, publicly demanded Narsinghanand's imprisonment for "blasphemy." Additionally, many users took to social media to tag foreign ministries of Gulf nations, such as Turkey and the UAE, urging them to impose sanctions against India.

 

In a counter-move to the uproar surrounding Zubair, an FIR has also been lodged against Narsinghanand under IPC Section 302 for remarks made during his speech, which included inciting followers to burn effigies of the Prophet, likening him to mythological villains.

The Uttar Pradesh Police have acknowledged disturbances outside the Dasna Temple but stated that the situation was quickly brought under control. They assured the public that order was maintained and that additional police forces had been deployed to ensure safety.

 

With the FIR against Zubair now in effect, the focus turns to the Uttar Pradesh Police as they decide how to proceed regarding the allegations of instigating an Islamist mob against Yati Narsinghanand. This case serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of communal tensions exacerbated by social media and the challenges in managing public discourse surrounding sensitive topics.