Bhatkal: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Karnataka State Secretary Muhammad Kunhi strongly condemned Yati Narsinghanand’s blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, calling them a direct threat to national unity.
Speaking at a massive protest organized by Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem on Monday, Kunhi emphasized that Narsinghanand’s repeated defiance of Indian law has undermined peace for over a decade. “His hate-filled rhetoric not only endangers religious harmony but also poses a serious threat to national unity. We demand strict legal action against him to prevent further defamation of religious figures,” Kunhi told the audience.
The protest was a powerful expression of the Muslims’ anger over Narsinghanand’s offensive statements. The demonstrators demanded the priest’s immediate arrest on sedition charges. Leaders stressed that such hate speech is not merely an insult to Muslims but a betrayal of India’s commitment to interfaith respect.
Maulana Abdul Aleem Nadvi, Imam of Jamia Masjid, noted that Prophet Muhammad’s legacy transcends religions.
“By insulting him, Narsinghanand has positioned himself as an enemy of all faiths, including Hinduism, and of the nation itself. India is a country that respects all religions, and such hate speech is a direct betrayal of our nation’s core values,” Nadvi remarked.
Tanzeem President Inayatullah Shabandri, while presenting a memorandum to Chief Justice of India through Assistant Commissioner, cautioned against inaction.
“If Narsinghanand is not arrested, we will be forced to organize larger protests, including a district-wide march to Karwar. Today’s gathering was peaceful, but our efforts will continue until justice is served,” he warned.
Shabandri also urged residents to observe the Bhatkal bandh on Tuesday in solidarity.
