Prashant Mishra, a Hindutva proponent often colloquially referred to as ‘Little Yogi,’ says he will climb atop a mosque and hoist the saffron flag
NEW DELHI – Despite stringent directives from the Supreme Court unequivocally condemning hate speech, law enforcement in Uttar Pradesh appears to be exhibiting leniency towards certain Hindutva elements. These individuals are openly flouting legal boundaries by inciting violence and issuing calls for the killing of those involved in cow slaughter within the state.
A video that went viral across social media platforms on Monday highlighted this alarming trend. In the footage, Prashant Mishra, a Hindutva proponent often colloquially referred to as Uttar Pradesh’s “Little Yogi,” is seen making incendiary declarations. He proclaims, “I will openly kill cow slaughterers; I will climb atop a mosque and hoist the saffron flag.” Such statements are a direct challenge to the state’s law and order machinery and threaten communal harmony.
These inflammatory remarks are not merely aggressive rhetoric; they explicitly advocate for violence in the name of cow protection—a highly sensitive issue in India—and further call for ‘kar seva’ (religious volunteer service) at mosques, a term historically associated with contentious religious site disputes.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasised the gravity of hate speech. In a landmark ruling on October 21, 2022, the court expressed deep concern over the issue, stating that “hate speech is eating into the vitals of our secular democratic country.”
The bench, comprising Justices KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy, specifically directed the police forces of Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh to take suo motu action against hate speech incidents, regardless of the religion of the perpetrator, and without waiting for a formal complaint. The court warned that any failure to do so would be treated as contempt of court, holding the police directly accountable. This directive was reinforced in subsequent hearings, with the court reiterating the need for prompt and decisive action. In another instance, the court had also expressed dismay that no effective action was being taken against such speeches.
The open pronouncements like that by Prashant Mishra, made seemingly with impunity, starkly underscore serious concerns regarding hate speech and public safety. The Supreme Court’s directives mandate that authorities must proactively address such incidents. Ensuring that the law is applied fairly and robustly is crucial to preventing the incitement of violence, protecting vulnerable communities, and maintaining the delicate balance of communal harmony in the state. The inaction or perceived inaction by law enforcement directly contravenes these clear judicial mandates.
