‘Violence To Protect Nation, Religion…’: CM Yogi’s Navratri Speech Amid Narsinghanand Row

Claiming that it was a call made in the “shastras”, or religious scriptures, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said while Hinduism propagates non-violence, “violence to protect the nation and religion, and to save innocent people is dharmasammat (as per dharma)”.

“Our Hindu religion clearly states that Ahimsa Paramo Dharma (non-violence is the highest moral virtue). But, if violence has to be done to protect the nation, to protect religion, to save innocent people, then it is dharmasammat and this call is made by the ‘scriptures’…” he said in Hindi, at an event to distribute sewing machines to women in Varanasi district on the occasion of Navratri.

Reiterating his comments from before, amid the raging Narsinghanand controversy, he said those who dare to the law in their own hand will face the strictest action. He alleged that “a section of people considers it their birthright” to insult Hindu gods and goddesses.

“A section of people considers it their birthright to make derogatory comments against the gods and goddesses of the Hindu religion, insult the sentiments of Hindus… If anyone dares to take the law in his own hands, they will have to face the law…” he added.

Earlier in the day, during a law and order review ahead of the festival season, Adityanath said derogatory remarks against deities, great men or saints belonging to any religion or sect are unacceptable and those doing so will be “punished vigorously”. These remarks were made in the backdrop of Dasna temple priest Yati Narsinghanand’s remarks against Prophet Muhammad.

He told the chief secretary, DGP and other officials at the meeting that “anarchy, vandalism or arson in the name of protest is not acceptable”. He stressed that faith of every sect and religion should be respected.

“Every citizen should have a sense of gratitude towards great men, but this cannot be forced and cannot be imposed on anyone,” he said in a statement. “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.”

What is the controversy?

Several Muslim organisations have called for the arrest of Narsinghanand, and leaders of political parties like the BSP, the National Conference and the Samajwadi Party have also joined the chorus for strict action against him.

On October 3, an FIR was lodged by sub-inspector Trivendra Singh against the priest in which it was alleged that on September 19, he had made derogatory remarks against a community during an event. It stated that this was a violation of Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with the offence of uttering words or making sounds to intentionally hurt someone’s religious feelings.

Another FIR was lodged by Bhanu Prakash Singh, sub-inspector and area beat incharge Dasna area of Wave City police station. In this complaint, the priest’s disciples — Anil Yadav Chota Narsimahanand, Yati Ran Singhanand, Yati Ram Swaroopanand and Yati Nirbhayanand of Dasna temple — have been accused of making objectionable remarks, a video of which had appeared on social media.

(With PTI inputs)