In viral videos, Gaurav Singh Rajput is seen addressing a crowd and making explicit calls for violence and demographic exclusion of Muslims
NEW DELHI — Rights groups and public forums on Sunday flagged alleged hate speech by Hindutva-aligned social media personality Gaurav Singh Rajput, in which he reportedly called for a ‘Mulla-free’ India and incited communal hatred against Muslims.
The speech was allegedly delivered at a public gathering in Hastinapur in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh. According to videos circulating online, Rajput called for genocide of Muslims and for making India ‘Mulla-free’ by all means. The incendiary remarks have triggered widespread condemnation and call for strict legal action.
The term ‘Mulla’ is a derogatory slur frequently used in anti-Muslim hate speech.
In the videos, Rajput is purportedly seen addressing a crowd and making explicit calls for violence and demographic exclusion of Muslims, remarks that prima facie amount to offences under Sections 196, 197, 299 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to promoting enmity between groups, outraging religious feelings and incitement.
Civil society groups said they have flagged the videos to Uttar Pradesh Police and the National Commission for Minorities, seeking registration of an FIR and preventive action under Supreme Court guidelines on hate speech.
History of Islamophobic Content
Rajput is not new to controversy. He frequently operates under the online persona ‘Gaurav Rajput Chambal’ (handle @gauravrajputchambal) and frames his content around what he describes as “Sanatan nationalism,” right-wing socio-political commentary and farmers’ issues.
His digital footprint includes multiple instances of alleged hate speech. He has previously faced backlash from media watchdogs and fact-checkers for posting videos containing highly derogatory and offensive remarks targeting the Holy Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad.
Despite repeated complaints, no stringent action has been reported against him so far, critics said.
Rights activists said the latest speech in Hastinapur fits a pattern documented by hate-speech trackers, where slurs like ‘Mulla’ and calls for economic and social boycott have seen a sharp rise since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power at the Centre.
As of Sunday evening, Meerut Police had not issued an official statement on whether an FIR has been registered against Rajput.
