Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Jan 12: In a hate speech case involving open cries for genocide at a “Dharma Sansad” in Haridwar, the Supreme Court sent a notice to the Uttarakhand government today, requesting a response.
The Uttarakhand government has ten days to respond. The warning has also been sent to the police departments of the Centre and Delhi.
The Supreme Court granted the petitioner’s plea to engage local authorities about the Dharam Sansad, which is scheduled to take place on January 23 in Aligarh (UP).
The case was being heard by a bench led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli.
Former High Court Justice Anjana Prakash and writer Kurban Ali submitted the petition, which highlights hate speeches directed at Muslims and requests for an independent, credible, and fair investigation by a Special Investigation Team.
“Slogans of the country have changed from Satyameva Jayate to Sashastramev Jayate,” Kapil Sibal, senior lawyer, told the apex court, adding that only FIRs have been filed but no arrests have been made.
According to the complaint, the police’s delay demonstrates that they are working hand in hand with perpetrators of communal hatred.
Various religious leaders delivered shocking comments at the religious assembly on December 17-19, urging for the use of guns against Muslims.
The Uttarakhand police initially filed a FIR naming only one person – Waseem Rizvi, who converted and now goes by the name Jitendra Tyagi – and ‘unknown others’ in response to widespread outcry. Sagar Sidhu Maharaj and Yati Narasimhanand, Dharamdas and Pooja Shakun Pandey were later added to the list.
Yati Narasimhanand, a religious leader who has been accused of instigating violence in the past with his incendiary comments, organised the conclave.
Prabodhanand Giri was overheard saying in one of the contentious videos: “Our police, politicians, army, and every Hindu must take up arms and perform a Safayi Abhiyan, much as Myanmar’s did (ethnic cleansing). There isn’t any other choice.”
