Case Against Wasim Rizvi, Who Converted To Hinduism, Others After 'Hate Speech' Videos From Haridwar Go Viral

'The said event was organised by Yati Narasimhanand Giri of Juna Akhara who is already under the police scanner for making hate speeches and inciting violence,' Saket Gokhale's complaint read.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 23 Dec 2021 08:52 PM (IST)

Viral Hate Speech Videos From ‘Dharma Sansad In Haridwar’ Spark Outrage, No Police Case Yet Case Against Wasim Rizvi, Who Converted To Hinduism, Others After 'Hate Speech' Videos From Haridwar Go Viral

Screengrab of Yati Narasimhanand from the alleged video included in the complaint filed by Saket Gokhale

New Delhi: Uttarakhand Police said a case had been registered against Wasim Rizvi alias Jitendra Narayan Tyagi and others under Section 153A IPC after videos from a purported 'Dharma Sansad' event in Haridwar, where speakers can be seen giving provocative speeches, went viral.

Section 153A of IPC deals with the offence of promoting disharmony, enmity or feelings of hatred between different groups. The videos have resulted in outrage and condemnation.

सोशल मीडिया पर धर्म विशेष के खिलाफ भड़काऊ भाषण देकर नफरत फैलाने संबंधी वायरल हो रहे वीडियो का संज्ञान लेते हुए वसीम रिजवी उर्फ जितेंद्र नारायण त्यागी एवं अन्य के विरुद्ध कोतवाली हरिद्वार में धारा 153A IPC के अंतर्गत मुकदमा पंजीकृत किया गया है और विधिक कार्यवाही प्रचलित है। @ANI pic.twitter.com/0NLBwPqQhV
— Uttarakhand Police (@uttarakhandcops) December 23, 2021

"Taking cognisance 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," the Uttarakhand Police said.

All India Trinamool Congress national spokesperson Saket Gokhale has filed a complaint with the SHO at Jwalapur police station in Haridwar. According to the complaint, the three-day event was organised by Yati Narasimhanand of Juna Akhara between December 17 and 20, 2021.

"The said event was organised by Yati Narasimhanand Giri of Juna Akhara who is already under the police scanner for making hate speeches and inciting violence. The conference was also attended by Prabodhanand Giri, president of Hindu Raksha Sena, BJP Mahila Morcha leader Udita Tyagi, BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay (who is currently out on bail in a similar hate speech case), Sadhvi Annapurna alias Pooja Shakun Pandey, a ‘mahamandaleshwar’ of Niranjani Akhara, Swami Anandswaroop, and others," stated the complaint filed by Gokhlae.

I've filed a complaint with SHO, Jwalapur PS in Haridwar against the #HaridwarHateAssembly conducted from 17th-20th December at Ved Niketan Dham.

Failing the registration of an FIR against the organizers & speakers in 24 hrs, a plaint shall be made to the Judicial Magistrate. https://t.co/hnUdNiurve pic.twitter.com/Xgv6FCu3ZM
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) December 23, 2021

In the complaint, Gokhale also enlisted some parts of the hate speech from the event and included the links to the videos. In one of the videos, Yati Narasimhanad allegedly said: “...swords won’t be enough...we need better weapons”.

One of the speakers, Dharam Das Maharaj, allegedly said he would have "become Nathuram Godse" and "shot Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inside Parliament", as per the complaint.

The complaint also included statements by Sagar Sindhu Maharaj who appealed to Hindu to “at least keep swords”.

Prabodhanand Giri, who is named in the complaint, is heard saying in one of the videos: "Hindus should pick up weapons."

An NDTV report said he did not regret what he said. "I am not ashamed of what I have said. I am not afraid of police," Giri was quoted as saying.

Another speaker at the event could be heard warning the Haridwar administration that they would vandalise hotels and commercial establishments if they celebrate Christmas. Yet another speaker said words targeting religious minorities.

The authenticity of the videos could not be independently verified by ABP Live.

While no police case has been registered yet, the Uttarakhand Police said on Wednesday it would inquire into the speeches made in Haridwar, Hindustan Times reported.

Quoting Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Kumar, the HT report said Wednesday: “As of now, the police haven’t received any complaint against the speeches made by participants in the event. However, the police would look into them and take action as per law.”

Gokhale filed his complaint on Thursday, according to the copy of it shared by him on Twitter.

'Action required'

After the videos were shared online, several people took to social media to condemn the speakers and demand action against them.

Former Naval chief Arun Prakash shared the video and tweeted: “WHY IS THIS NOT BEING STOPPED? With our Jawans facing enemies on 2 fronts, do we want a communal blood-bath, domestic turmoil and international disgrace? Is it difficult to understand that anything which damages national cohesion & unity endangers India’s national security?”

Replying to the post, ex-Army chief VP Malik posted: “Agreed. Such speeches disturb public harmony and affect national security. Action required by Civil Admin.

Former tennis player Martina Navratilova also shared the video and said: “What is going on ?!?”