Amid the ongoing controversy over controversial seer Yati Narsinghanand comments on Prophet Muhammad, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that derogatory comments against deities, great figures or saints are unacceptable.
However, CM Yogi warned that anarchy in the name of protest will not be tolerated either and added that those engaging in such behaviour will face severe consequences.
"Every citizen should have a sense of gratitude towards great men, but this cannot be forced and cannot be imposed on anyone," Adityanath said in a statement.
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"If any person tampers with faith, makes derogatory remarks against the faith of great men, deities, sect etc., then he will be brought under the purview of law and punished rigorously, but people of all sects, religions will have to respect each other," PTI quoted the Chief Minister as saying.
The remark comes amid violent protests in Maharashtra and Ghaziabad days after a viral video of Yati Narsinghanand can be heard abusing Prophet Muhammad.
A violent protest was reported in Maharashtra's Amravati where 21 police personnel were injured and a case was registered against 1,200 persons for violence over the controversial seer's remark.
In Ghaziabad, a large crowd gathered outside the Dasna Devi temple, where Narsinghanand presides, to protest against him on Friday, following which six people have been arrested for allegedly pelting stones at a police party outside the temple. Meanwhile, police in Saharanpur have arrested 13 persons in connection with stone pelting at Sheikhpura police post during the protest against Narsinghanand's remarks on Prophet Muhammad.
Superintendent of Police (city) of Saharanpur Abhimanyu Manglik said a case has been registered against 20 named and other unidentified individuals under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Of these 20 named individuals, 13 accused persons were arrested on Sunday.
Meanwhile, BSP chief Mayawati demanded that the Centre and state government take strict action against the priest for his hate speech.
Several Muslim organisations have called for the arrest of the priest, and leaders of political parties like the AIMIM, the National Conference and the Samajwadi Party have also joined the chorus for strict action against him.
Several FIRs have also been registered against Yati Narsinghanand in Amravati, Hyderabad, Thane and Ghaziabad.
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.