The event is planned at the Ghaziabad collectorate on October 13 even as the police maintain that prohibitory orders are in place in the area.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Several Hindutva organisations will hold a Mahapanchayat in the Dasna area of Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district in support of Hindutva priest Yati Narsinghanand after he faced protests for making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him).
The event is planned at the Ghaziabad collectorate on October 13 even as the police maintain that BNS Section 163 is enforced in the area. It does not allow gathering of more than five people at a given place.
“Section 163 BNSS prohibitory orders are in force in the entire Ghaziabad. No permission has been given by the police for any such program,” said the Ghaziabad police commissionerate in response to the announcement of the Mahapanchayat.
According to reports, Hindu Raksha Dal, Shiv Sena (UBT), Gauraksha Dal, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Yuva Vahini and several priests will be part of the Mahapanchayat.
On social media, Hindutva supporters are campaigning under the hashtag “Chalo Dasna” (Let’s go to Dasa) to chalk out a future strategy.
The event is being held at a time when the area is already tense after Narsinghanand, who is facing multiple FIRs for making hate speeches, had made derogatory remarks targeting Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). On 29 September while addressing a gathering, the priest urged Hindus to burn an effigy of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) instead of Ravan on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Dussehra.
A video of his speech has gone viral on social media causing outrage and protests in different parts of the country. A large number of Muslims also gathered in front of the Dasna Devi temple but were dispersed by the police. However, the Hindutva supporters have claimed that the temple was attacked by the protesters. But the police rejected the claims of attack calling it misinformation.
The Ghaziabad Police also registered a suo motu FIR at Wave City police station over the protest on October 4, against 100-150 unidentified persons.
“…About 100-150 persons gathered outside the Dasna Devi temple and were raising slogans against the remarks made against Muhammad Paigamber Sahab… When stopped, they resorted to stone-pelting and prevented discharge of official duties,” the FIR stated.
Meanwhile, Narsinghanand is “missing” since the night of October 4, with his aides and supporters claiming that he was taken away by the police citing security concerns. However, police have been maintaining that Narsinghanand was not in their custody.