Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A delegation of political and social activists on Monday met with the Director General of Police (DGP) and chief secretary of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren demanding action against Hindutva outfits for making hate speeches and disturbing communal harmony in the state.
The delegation met DGP Ajay Kumar Singh and Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh in Ranchi under the banner of Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (JJM). It also filed a complaint and submitted videos of Hindutva leader Bhairav Singh.
“We, the different political and social organisations and activists of Jharkhand want to draw your attention towards the public gatherings being held for spreading religious frenzy and disturbing communal harmony. Leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliates such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal are making provocative speeches against Muslims and Christians after holding public gatherings,” reads the complaint.
The complaint also cited the example of a Hindutva leader Bhairav Singh, who runs a YouTube channel and uploads his speeches. Singh made remarks against Christians at a public gathering held on 24 July in Ranchi. At the gathering, he made baseless remarks about Manipur violence.
According to the complaint, Singh also used objectionable words for Muslims, called for violence, incited people against minorities and demanded the establishment of a Hindu rashtra (nation).
“This is clearly a criminal offence under IPC Sections 153A, 153B, 295A, 505(1) and others,” said the complaint.
Several such public gatherings are being held in Ranchi and villages where Singh made such controversial remarks. The videos of such gatherings were uploaded on YouTube.
“Calls for an economic boycott of Muslims were given at different gatherings. Jharkhand’s society is being divided by holding such gatherings. If such speeches are not put on hold and action is not taken against such people, our concept of secularism and society will be destroyed,” noted the complaint.
The delegation expressed its disappointment with the police administration for failing to act against these gatherings while drawing attention to the Supreme Court order directing the police to take cognisance of hate speeches suo moto.
In the complaint, the delegation demanded the registration of an FIR against these public gatherings and the videos. The delegation also demanded the issuance of directives to all district officials to take cognisance of the gatherings which disturb communal harmony.
“It cannot be denied that there is a possibility of an increase in such gatherings ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha and assembly elections,” said the delegation.
