Haridwar Hate Speech Conclave: Case Registered As Outrage Grows; No Arrests Yet

Uttarakhand Police has registered a case in connection with the alleged hate speeches made during a three-day Dharma Sansad (religious parliament) that was held from December 17 to 19 in Haridwar.

"Taking cognizance of the video that is going viral on social media for spreading hatred by giving provocative speeches against a particular religion, a case has been registered against Wasim Rizvi alias Jitendra Narayan Tyagi and others under Section 153A IPC in Kotwali, Haridwar and legal proceedings are in progress," Uttarakhand Police said in a Tweet on Thursday.

Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Kumar on Friday said that incidents of 'hate speech' will not be tolerated in the state.

A case under section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against Rizvi for "promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion..."

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Case registered

Speaking with ANI, the DGP said, "A case under 153A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered."

"We will do the investigation as per law and such types of incidents will not be tolerated," he added.

Rizvi, the former chairman of the UP Shia Waqf Board who had recently converted to Hinduism was among the hundreds of attendees at the conclave.

Held at Ved Niketan Dham in Haridwar from December 17-20, the Dharma Sansad was organised by Yati Narasimhanand Giri of the Juna Akhada, who is already under police scanner for making hate speeches and inciting violence against Muslims.

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Several fire-brand Hindutva leaders and Suresh Chavhanke, the editor of Sudarshan News, which has been called out for its report on 'UPSC Jihad' were among those seen taking to the stage during the three-day event in which many made provocative speeches.

This included wanting to kill former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh like Godse killed Mahatma Gandhi, a call to Hindus to buy arms, be ready to kill and get killed, etc.

Videos from the conclave that were posted online invoked shock and condemnation, with many comparing it to the Nazis in Germany in the 1930s.

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The All India Professionals Congress also condemned in the strongest possible terms the "genocidal statements made by Hindutva leaders" in the "hate speech conclave" organised in the holy city of Haridwar.

Will the Union of India and other institutions remain mute spectators, the Congress wing for professionals asked.

Reacting to the remarks at the Haridwar meet, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "This is bloodcurdling stuff. Is it too much to expect. @CMuttarakhand to take action under the existing hate-speech laws?"

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said on Twitter, "Narsinghanand Organises 3-Day Hate Speech Conclave in Haridwar... are the Faux Hindutva Nazis planning an holocaust? Will the Union of India & its institutions be a blind/mute spectator?"

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Congress spokesperson Shama Mohammed said Munawar Faruqui has been relentlessly punished for alleged jokes which he didn't even crack, but there is no action against the 'Dharm Sansad' members who openly called for "genocide against Muslims in Haridwar!".

"Is India still a democracy!" she said.

Chhattisgarh minister and senior party leader T S Singhdeo said India's traditional value is -- 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbhkam - World is a Family'.

"Our Constitutional value is Secularism - Respect for all religions. Our primary Fundamental Right is Right to equality. Such bigoted thoughts & assemblies are against the foundation of India. This is criminal!" he said reacting to the remarks made at the meet.

Gaurav Pandhi, a Congress functionary, said that in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "'New India', sponsored by Ambani & Adani, Comedians are prevented from making people laugh but Hindutwavadis are allowed to give hate speeches, calling for genocide and armed revolt against the nation".

"In Haridwar, a group of Hindutvawadis gathered giving a call for armed violence against Muslims, former PM Dr Manmohan Singh & armed revolt against India. They stressed on CREATING TERRORISTS. Meanwhile, the police, govt agencies, Modi, Amit Shah & Dalal media are fast asleep!" he said.

CPI(M), from its official Twitter handle said, "Munawar Faruqui has been relentlessly punished for alleged jokes which he didn't even crack, but there is no action against the 'Dharm Sansad' members who openly called for genocide against Muslims in Haridwar! Is India still a democracy!"

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