RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Aug.14: A delegation of several organizations, including Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, Common Manch, Adivasi Adhikar Manch, Ambedkar Vichar Manch met State Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh and DGP A K Singh and demanded action against public meetings and social media posts that break religious and communal harmony in the state.
The delegation said that the leaders associated with different wings of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (such as Bajrang Dal, Vishva Hindu Parishad etc.) have been giving provocative speeches against Muslims and Christians by organizing public meetings in Ranchi and other districts in the recent past and recently a Hindu leader Bhairav Singh incited people against Muslims and Christians in the name of Hindu religion in a public meeting held at Sukurhutu, Kanke, on July 24 last.
In the matter of recent violence in Manipur, the delegation alleged Singh of presenting misleading information and speaking against Christian tribals with the aim of spreading religious hatred and hysteria. Apart from this, his provocative speeches were also delivered against Muslims using many objectionable words.
The delegation alleged that Singh instigated against the constitutional values of secularism in the name of Hinduism. At the same time, people were also mobilized in favour of Hindu Rashtra. Slogan of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ was raised continuously during the speech.
According to the delegation, the concept of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is unconstitutional and the speech is clearly an offence under several sections of the Indian Penal Code including 153A, 153B, 295A and 505(1) besides others. The delegation demanded immediate action under these sections.
The delegation told the DGP that this speech and meeting is just an example. According to it, such meetings are being organized in different villages of Ranchi and such speeches are being given continuously by Bhairav Singh.
There has also been talk of economic boycott of Muslims in many meetings. In other districts also, the work of breaking the Jharkhandi society is being done by holding such meetings. If this type of speech is not stopped and action is not taken against such people, then it will disintegrate the concept of secularism of our Constitution and the society and the right to equality established in section 14 and equal citizenship established in section 21 of the constitution.
The delegation presented the Director General of Police with a reference to the Supreme Court judgment in “ASHWINI KUMAR UPADHYAY versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.” (Writ Petition (Civil) No. 943/2021) while raising the demand.
The court, the delegation pointed out, has given a clear order to the state to take action in cases of hate speech by filing suo moto FIR without any complaint.
The delegation included Arpana Bara, Aloka Kujur, Ambika Yadav, Amal Azad, Alina Horo, Praveer Peter, Praful Linda, Rehan, Sarfaraz Ansari, Siraj Dutta, Soni Devi and Tom Kavala.
