By Our Representative
The civil rights group Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (JJM) has demanded from the State government not to give permission to Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham, who has been criticised for making communal remarks against Muslims and Christians in his meetings and discourses allegedly for creating hatred among Hindus against minorities.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Jharkhand, the letter demands says Shastri “should not be allowed to hold meetings in Palamu or in any area of Jharkhand, under any circumstances, because he has a long history of hateful, inflammatory, communal and anti-constitutional speeches and comments.”
Citing media reports, JJM says, they reveal that a meeting of Shastri of Bageshwar was planned in Palamu on 10-13 December 2023. Initially the local administration had given permission, but then the Deputy Commissioner canceled the permission citing likely damage to the ecosystem along the river banks and the “Sarkar Apke Dwar” program.
However, now the organizers are "trying to get permission again."
According to the letter, “Shastri has been continuously talking about making India a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and instigates people towards this end in the name of religion”, insisting, the concept of Hindu Rashtra is contrary to our constitutional values.” In fact, he “makes communal remarks against Muslims and Christians in his meetings and discourses and tries to create hatred among Hindus against these minority communities.”
The letter notes, “Criminal cases are registered against Shastri in many states for making inflammatory speeches and spreading communalism. For example, for a speech given in March 2023 in Udaipur (Rajasthan), against remarks given in October 2023 in Punjab, etc. Shastri has openly supported political leaders who spread communalism in his religious meetings.”
Dhirendra Shastri has long history of hateful, inflammatory, communal and anti-constitutional speeches and comments
“In such a situation”, JJM insists, “The possibility cannot be ruled out that anti-constitutional, inflammatory and communal speeches will be given by Shastri in the meetings proposed to be organized in Palamu or other areas of Jharkhand.”
“If this type of speech is not stopped and action is not taken against such people, then the values of secularism and the equal rights enshrined in Article 14 of our Constitution and value of equality enshrined in Article 21 will be violated. It is also clear that before 2024 Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections, there is an attempt to create religious polarization among the people of the state for vested electoral gains through such individuals and events”, it adds.
JJM demands, “If under any circumstances/ pretext, hateful and inflammatory speech is made anywhere in the state, then as per the instructions of the Supreme Court in “Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay versus Union Of India & Ors.” (Writ Petition (Civil) No. 943/2021) case, a suo-moto FIR be registered against the culprits without waiting for any complaint under sections 153A, 153B, 295A, 505(1) of the Indian Penal Code and other related sections and appropriate action should be taken.”
JJM demands, “If under any circumstances/ pretext, hateful and inflammatory speech is made anywhere in the state, then as per the instructions of the Supreme Court in “Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay versus Union Of India & Ors.” (Writ Petition (Civil) No. 943/2021) case, a suo-moto FIR be registered against the culprits without waiting for any complaint under sections 153A, 153B, 295A, 505(1) of the Indian Penal Code and other related sections and appropriate action should be taken.”
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