Uttar Pradesh police arrested 17 Muslims in connection with protests against Hindu priest Yati Narsinghanand. The arrests occurred after demonstrators allegedly threw stones at a police post in Saharanpur and engaged in violent actions outside the Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad, reports the Hindustan Times.
On October 4, a crowd of nearly 150 people gathered to protest blasphemous remarks made by Narsinghanand, who has a history of inciting hate against Muslims. His latest inflammatory comment, calling for Hindus to “burn the effigy of Muhammad,” ﷺ sparked outrage in the Muslim community.
Among those arrested are Sameer Mohammad, Sajid, Aamir, Shoaib, Farman, and Shahzad Syed. The protesters, angered by Narsinghanand’s blasphemous remarks, told authorities that their religious sentiments had been hurt, leading them to gather and voice their discontent. The protest, initially peaceful, escalated into violence, with reports of stone-pelting at police officers.
The report adds that Ghaziabad Deputy Commissioner of Police, Surendra Nath Tewari, confirmed the arrests and stated that the investigation is ongoing, with authorities probing any broader conspiracy behind the unrest.
While swift action was taken against the Muslim protestors, Narsinghanand, known for his incendiary speeches against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, remains free. Despite his repeated calls for violence and communal incitement, no significant legal action has been taken against him.
The stark contrast in the handling of the protesters versus the priest has led to widespread criticism of law enforcement’s double standards. Activists argue that marginalized communities are swiftly suppressed, while those engaging in hate speech continue to evade accountability.
The incident has intensified debates on hate speech and the justice system’s response to communal tensions, with citizens calling for equal enforcement of the law regardless of the community involved.
