Narsinghanand's remarks against Prophet Muhammad: Mayawati seeks strict legal action
Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday criticised priest Yati Narsinghanand for his alleged hate speech and demanded that the Centre and state government should take strict action against him.
"In Ghaziabad, UP, the Mahant of Dasna Devi Temple once again made hate speeches against Islam, which has created unrest and tension in the entire area and many parts of the country. The police took action against the protesters, but the main culprits remained unpunished," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said in a post on X.
1. यूपी के गाजियाबाद में डासना देवी मन्दिर के महंत द्वारा इस्लाम मज़हब के खिलाफ फिर से नफरती बयानबाजी की गयी जिससे उस पूरे इलाके में तथा देश के कई हिस्सों में भी अशान्ति व तनाव की स्थिति उत्पन्न है। पुलिस द्वारा प्रदर्शनकारियों के खिलाफ तो कार्रवाई की गयी किन्तु मूल दोषी भयमुक्त।
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) October 6, 2024
"While the Indian Constitution guarantees secularism, that is, equal respect for all religions. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the central and state governments to take strict legal action against those who violate it so that there is peace in the country and development is not hindered," she said in another post.
Narsinghanand has been booked for hate speech after he allegedly made objectionable remarks against Prophet Muhammad that sparked protests in Ghaziabad and other states.
A large crowd had gathered outside the Dasna Devi temple in the district where he presides to protest against him on Friday night after videos of his inflammatory remarks appeared online following which security was stepped up around the premises.
Narsinghanand has several cases against him, including for allegedly making a hate speech at a conclave in Haridwar in December 2021, and was out on bail.
An FIR had been lodged against 150 people on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Bhanu, the in-charge of Dasna police outpost, at the Wave City police station over the protest outside the Dasna temple on Friday.
An FIR was registered against the priest in Maharashtra's Amravati city on Saturday, which saw violent protests against his remarks outside the Nagpuri Gate police station in which 21 police personnel were injured and 10 police vans were damaged during stone pelting by a mob on Friday night, according to officials.
A case under BNS sections 299 (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 302 (intentionally uttering words to deliberately wound the religious sentiments of another person), 197 (actions that harm national integration) and others was registered against Narsinghanand at the Nagpuri Gate police station over his alleged objectionable remarks, the police said.
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BCI urges CJI to take action against Andhra HC judge for sending young lawyer to 24-hour custody
New Delhi (PTI): The Bar Council of India on Wednesday sought the urgent intervention of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant following a "deeply disturbing" incident where a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court reportedly sent a young advocate to
24-hour judicial custody over a procedural lapse.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairperson and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, in a formal representation, termed the conduct of Justice Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao "grossly inappropriate" and "damaging to the confidence of the Bar".
“I most respectfully request your Lordship to kindly take immediate institutional cognizance of the matter and call for the video recording of the proceedings, the order passed, and the surrounding circumstances.
“I further request that appropriate administrative action may kindly be considered, including withdrawal of judicial work from the learned Judge pending review, his immediate transfer to some far off High Court, and his nomination for appropriate judicial training/orientation on court management, judicial temperament, Bar-Bench relations, and proportional exercise of contempt/judicial authority,” Mishra wrote.
This representation is made to preserve the “dignity, moral authority and public confidence of the judiciary”, he said, adding, “Judges command the highest respect not by fear, but by fairness, patience, restraint and constitutional humility”.
The communication urged the CJI to intervene at the earliest to ensure that the faith of Bar, particularly young advocates, in the protective and corrective role of the judiciary is restored.
The controversy stems from proceedings on May 5.
According to the BCI, a video circulating online shows Justice Rao rebuking a young advocate who was unable to produce a specific order copy during a hearing.
The letter said that despite the advocate "repeatedly seeking pardon and mercy" and claiming he was in physical pain, the judge remained "unmoved".
The judge allegedly told the lawyer, "now you will learn," and mocked his experience before directing the Registrar and police personnel to take him into custody for 24 hours.
The BCI chairperson said that the judge’s actions lacked proportionality and fairness.
"The dignity of the court is not enhanced when a lawyer is made to beg for grace in open court and is still sent to custody for a procedural lapse," the letter said.
"A young lawyer... is an officer of the Court, still learning, still growing, and entitled to correction without humiliation," it added.
The bar body said that such actions create a "chilling effect" on the legal fraternity, particularly among junior members, and undermine the mutual respect required between the Bench and the Bar.
