Yati Narsinghanand, the controversial head priest of the Dasna Devi temple in Uttar Pradesh, has found himself at the center of a legal storm following allegations of delivering a hate speech at Hindi Bhawan in Ghaziabad on September 29. The incident has sparked outrage across religious and political spectrums, leading to multiple police cases and widespread condemnation.
The Thane Police in Maharashtra booked Narsinghanand on Sunday, responding to a complaint filed by the president of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). The First Information Report (FIR) levies serious charges against the priest, including promoting enmity between different groups, making imputations prejudicial to national integration, and deliberately outraging religious feelings.
Parallel to this, the Uttar Pradesh Police have also registered a case against Narsinghanand for the same speech. Reports suggest that the controversial figure has been detained by UP police authorities, along with his associates. This detention comes amidst growing pressure from various quarters demanding action against the priest for his inflammatory remarks.
The repercussions of Narsinghanand’s alleged hate speech have been felt beyond Uttar Pradesh. In Amravati, Maharashtra, another case has been filed against him following violent protests that erupted in response to his comments.
These demonstrations resulted in injuries to police personnel and damage to public property, further intensifying the calls for legal action. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from prominent figures across the political spectrum. Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson of the J&K Waqf Board and a senior BJP leader, strongly condemned Narsinghanand’s remarks.
In a statement posted on her official social media handle, Dr. Andrabi called for severe punishment against the priest, describing his comments as “highly objectionable” and harmful to the sentiments of millions of believers. Religious organizations have also voiced their concerns. The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has demanded Narsinghanand’s immediate arrest, urging Muslims to maintain calm and respond to such provocations with wisdom and dignity.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case has reignited debates on hate speech and religious harmony in India. With multiple FIRs filed and investigations underway, authorities face the challenge of addressing the situation while balancing free speech concerns with the need to maintain communal peace.
