National Commission for Minorities (NCM) | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Thu, 11 Jul 2024 13:14:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png National Commission for Minorities (NCM) | SabrangIndia 32 32 CJP flags 8 incidents of hate crime including lynchings to National Commission for Minorities https://sabrangindia.in/cjp-flags-8-incidents-of-hate-crime-including-lynchings-to-national-commission-for-minorities/ Thu, 11 Jul 2024 13:14:04 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=36728 In its joint complaint dated July 10, CJP listed 8 episodes of gruesome hate crimes committed in the months of June-July to the national body for the minorities asking the latter to take concrete actions

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In the month of June alone this year at least 6 episodes of mob lynching’s were reported in the country as per Maktoob Media. The trend of hate crimes against minorities and weaker sections of the society has continued unabated in the present socio-political climate of fear, ethno-religious divide, and communal hatred. While constant communal activities and hate speeches delivered across the country vitiate the overall climate towards religious polarisation, their effect is most apparent when extreme cases of hate crimes like mob lynching or physical ransacking of shops and properties is displayed on our screens. Most often, such hate crimes are disproportionately committed against members of minority groups, who are the most vulnerable and easy targets of communal violence. As a vigilant human rights organisation, CJP closely monitor issues affecting the rights of the citizens, especially minorities, and constantly endeavours to protect fundamental rights of all citizens.

In our complaint dated July 10 to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), a statutory body mandated with the duty to protect the rights of the minorities, we flagged 8 episodes of hate crimes committed against weaker sections of the society across the states of Orrisa, Jharkhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh in the months of June-July this year. The hate crime incidents listed in our complaint includes cases of mob lynching, ransacking of the shop, physical assault, and house trespassing on the occasion of Eid al-Adha to prevent consumption of meat. We addressed our complaint to Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the NCM, Iqbal Singh Lalpura and Kersi Kaikhushroo Deboo, respectively, under Section 9(d) of the NMC Act, which mandates that the minority body to “look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities”.

For each listed incident, we have provided a detailed account of the facts, including date, location, particulars of the incident, and actors involved therein (wherever identifiable). In addition, CJP has specified the applicable criminal laws under both Indian Penal Code and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to the incidents in question. To further strengthen the complaint legally, we have also cited binding court judgements on the subject matter, international conventions, and the relevant executive or police orders (wherever applicable). Importantly, while addressing the issue of hate crime, CJP has also urged the NMC to look into societal and long-term effects of hate crimes on the overall wellbeing and safety not only of the minorities but all sections of the society, accentuating the debilitating effects of hate crime on individuals, groups, and the country as a whole.

Finally, we pressed the National Commission of Minorities to take several concrete measures on the complained cases, including directing police/investigative agencies to identity and track down the culprits, ensuring registration of FIRs, and further encouraged the Commission to closely monitor the probe in the listed incidents.

Details of the incidents

1. Date: July 1

Location: Koderma, Jharkhand

Details: As per journalist Meer Faisal, an Imam named Maulana Sahabuddin from Basramo Turkabad in the Barkatha area was lynched by a mob in Koderma district on July 1st. A resident of Raghuniyadih, Sahabuddin was returning home on his bike when a mob surrounded him and accused him of hitting a woman on the road. After this accusation, they brutally beat him to death, hitting his viciously.

2. Date: June 30

Location: Sadulpur, Churu, Rajasthan (close to Lasedi village on NH52)

Details: A group of around 20 cow vigilantes brutally assaulted a driver and his companion in Sadulpur, late on Sunday night (June 30). The victims, identified as Sonu Bishnoi (29) and Sundar Bishnoi (35), were transporting lemons from Jaipur to Punjab when they were intercepted by vigilantes on suspicion of cattle smuggling. A video of the incident shows the mob armed with sticks thrashing the victims even as they lay on the ground, hitting them in the face with shoes and kicking their heads. Vigilantes even took away their mobile phones, rendering them helpless. The victims were initially taken to a local hospital in Churu and later referred to a private hospital in Haryana for better treatment. Sonu Banshiram sustained multiple fractures in both legs, while Sundar Singh suffered injuries to his arms and head. Reportedly, the victims heard the names Sonu, Sonia, Varun, and Dinesh during the attack.

3. Date: June 19 

Location: Chhota Chowk, Nahan, Himachal Pradesh 

Details: On June 19, a mob of 400-500 people looted the textile shop of the Muslim man in Chhota Chowk, Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, over false allegations of cow slaughter. The shop was vandalised after the shopkeeper had shared a picture of an animal sacrifice on his WhatsApp status. Article 14 reported that even though there is a video of the men inciting the mob before the attack on Muslim shops, the police have not arrested them till date. After the attack, some of the Muslim shopkeepers fled from the area and have since lost their livelihood and erstwhile home. A video of the incident shows the mob destroying and throwing out the contents of the shop as crowd cheers under police presence. After this, the crowd marched to the district collector’s office, chanting slogans such as “Goli maaro saalon ko” and “Jai Shri Ram.” The threats of violence were further repeated at a gathering of people on 26 June.

4. Date: June 18

Location: Mamu Bhanja, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

Details: A 35-year-old Muslim man, named Mohammed Farid alias Aurangzeb, was lynched by a mob on the night of June 18. As per the police, he was beaten to death over suspicion of a theft attempt. However, Mohammed Zaki, the victim’s brother, has stated that Farid was just coming back home from work when he was attacked by a mob in the locality. The incident reportedly took place around 10:15 PM on June 18. As per Hindustan Times, the complaint alleges that the accused ‘gathered together’ with the intention to kill Farid as he was a Muslim, “They (accused) gathered with the intention of killing brother Aurangzeb. They had lathi, stick, hockey (stick) and iron rod in hand and attacked my brother after identifying him as a Muslim, they killed him,” the complainant has alleged in the FIR.” The family of the victim has demanded compensation and strict punishment for the accused.

 

 5. Date: June 16 

Location: Khordha, Orrisa 

Details: A mob arrived and forced their way into a house and seized meat from a fridge in the home on June 16. This incident had taken place only shortly after Eid al-Adha and a viral video has surfaced showing a group of cow vigilantes forcefully entering a Muslim household. The mob, chanting slogans of “Jai Shri Ram,” as they entered and raided the family’s refrigerator, seizing all the meat and the refrigerator itself on mere suspicion that it contained beef.

6. Date: June 12 

Location: Jagdalpur, Chattisgarh 

Details: As per Maktoob Media, on June 12, Christian families in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, were reportedly attacked by a Hindutva mob. They were also given an ultimatum to denounce their religion within 10 days. The violent incident took place in Bade Paroda village, under Badanji Police Station. Three victims were hospitalised after the incident. As per Maktoob Media, the lawyer of the injured has stated that all the attacks happening in the area since 2023 were aided by local police, and has also been forcing the families to flee their village. One of the injured suffered a broken leg, according to the lawyer. Since 2023, Bade Paroda has been reportedly a tense area for violence against Christians, with Christian minorities often targeted by violence and intimidation.

 7. Date: June 10 

Location: Kaithal, Haryana 

Details: In Haryana’s Kaithal, a Sikh man was beaten by unknown people who also called him a Khalistani, as per Times of India. The Haryana Police have so far arrested two people in connection with the assault. Following the incident on June 10, the Kaithal police created a five-member Special Investigation Team to investigate. The arrested men have been identified as Ishu who is a resident of Singwal village in Jind, and Sunil who is from Shergarh village, according to Superintendent of Police Upasana.

8. Date: June 7 

Location: Raipur, Chhattisgarh 

Details: In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, two Muslim men, Chand Miya and Guddu Khan, were beaten to death by cow vigilantes on June 7 while transporting buffaloes in a truck. Their bodies were found in the Mahanadi River. A third man, Saddam Khan was also critically injured and receiving treatment in a hospital, only to succumb to his injuries a short while later. The incident took place when a group of youths began following it, eventually surrounding it on the Mahanadi bridge. Reports indicate that the attackers laid spikes on the road to stop the truck, then forcefully pulled out the occupants and assaulted them. In a desperate attempt to escape, one of the victims jumped into the river.

Copy of our complaint to the National Commission for Minorities can be found here:

 

Related:

Repeat offender among suspects in lynching of Muslim man in Gujarat

Cow vigilantes chase truck, tie up Muslim truck driver, and associate 

Jharkhand: Another case of mob lynching of Muslim man 

June 2024: 10 violent attacks against cattle transporters and 14 cases of communal violence in various states across India 

Mob beats to death a young Muslim, hostilities had been rising as locals were not happy with Muslims doing well in cricket 

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SP, Uttarkashi provides investigation action report on forced exodus of Muslims in June https://sabrangindia.in/sp-uttarkashi-provides-investigation-action-report-on-forced-exodus-of-muslims-in-june/ Tue, 12 Sep 2023 12:47:55 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=29794 Following CJP's complaint to NCM regarding the communal disharmony and targeting of Muslims in Uttarakhand, the police has provided a report outlining the events and actions taken

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On September 1, the District Collector, Uttarkashi sent a detailed action taken report to the complaint dated June 16, 2023, filed with the National Commission of Minorities (NCM) by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP). The said complaint, was against the shocking and outrageous calls for socio-economic boycott calls against local Muslims and the resultant forced exodus of the minorities, all by local Hindutva right-wing groups.

The said complaint highlighted that a Hindutva organisation, namely the Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan, had published posters –prominently displayed–demanding that Muslims in the area flee their residences on threat of violence. This organisation was then joined by local community leaders like Swami Darshan Bharti and Rakesh Uttarakhandi, who also called for the forced eviction of Muslims while delivering strident hate-speeches against the community.

The complaint analysed the events leading to the exodus, the hate speeches, threats of violence boycott and abuse, led to the deterioration of communal harmony in the area and listed the sections of the criminal law and Constitution that stand violated. Following directives by the National Commission of Minorities (NCM) on the said complaint, an action taken report was sought from the superintendent of police, Uttarkashi.

The inception: In its reply, the police began by providing information that that the matter began with a case being lodged by the father of a minor Hindu girl in the Purola police station. In the complaint, it was alleged that two men, namely Uvaid Khan and Jitendra Sainihad, had kidnapped his daughter on the pretext of marriage.

The FIR had been lodged on May 26, 2023. The police had invoked sections 363 and 366A of the Indian Penal Code as well as section 16/17 of POCSO Act against Uvaid Khan and Jitendra Saini. The accused were also presented before the court and were sent to judicial custody. On June 10, after completion of the investigation, a charge sheet had been filed.

Communal disharmony: The report by the police further provided that since “the matter was inter-religious, local people/Hindu(tva) organisations, became enraged, took out a rally in Purola area and boycotted people of a religion.” Notably, the said rally was taken out on May 29, 2023, as provided in the CJP complaint to the NCM. On this, the police action taken reports states that, on the same day, “police PAC forces were deployed under the leadership of Badkot area officer and Badkot traffic area officer to ensure safety of people of a particular community and maintain law and order situation and a flag march was organised.” The CJP complaint,  based on substantiated media reports, had stated that the rally had turned violent, with mob violence against homes and shops belonging to the minority community in the area. Reportedly, the District General Secretary of ruling party, Prakash Kumar Dabral, had made anti-minority statements and said, “We will not let them do business here, will not let them open shops. Then they will leave on their own.”

The ATR from the Uttarakhand police had provided that in connection with the May 29, 2023 incident, a case had been filed at Purola Police station on June 15 under sections 147/149/427 of the IPC, against 100-150 unknown persons. This matter is still being investigated.

Posters targeting minorities: Among the worst aspects of the targeted violence was the stigmatised marking of Muslim homes with an ‘X’ symbol, a development that had found widespread condemnation. The police stated that that “some unknown persons/anti-social elements pasted posters on the shutters of shops belonging to Muslims.”

The ATR also stated that the objectionable posters that stated, “Love Jihadis are being informed that they should vacate their shops before the Mahapanchayat of June 15, if you do not follow will be dealt with time Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan” were also pasted by “unknown miscreants.” A case under IPC sections 153A/505/(1)(G)/506 had been lodged by them against unknown persons and is under investigation says the ATR.

The Mahapanchayat: A Mahapanchayat had been scheduled to be organised on June 15, which had been called by Hindu right-wing groups against alleged incidents of ‘love jihad’. The police ATR states that, “Due to the proposed Mahapanchayat in Purola on June 15, 2023, the undersigned, realising seriousness of the situation and to maintain law and order and communal harmony as well briefed his subordinates on regular basis and instructed them to keep an eye on situation and be alert and on June 15, 2023 necessary police forces were deployed. To maintain peace and law and order, deputy collector, Purola, passed an order to enforce section 144 in Purola police station area from June 14, 2023 to June 19, 2023 and the same was publicised via various mediums. On June 15, 2023 sufficient police PAC forces were deployed in the area under Purola police station to maintain law and order situation as well as for the safety of people of a particular religion in the wake of proposed Mahapanchayat by various organisations. Because of the efforts of district administration, police, the proposed Mahapanchayat could not happen and peace prevailed in Purola Kasba Bazar area.”

It is essential to highlight here that between the night of June 13 and June 14, an urgent petition by the Association for the Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) had been filed in the Supreme Court seeking urgent intervention to prohibit the proposed Mahapanchayat from taking place. By the morning of June 14, two other legal interventions in the form of letter petitions to the Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud were also sent by academics Apoorvanand and People’s Union for Civil Liberty. Notably, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain the said plea, but had allowed the petitioner to approach the High Court or any other authority. Notably, by it was only by 11.30 a.m. on June 14 that news of 144 being imposed in Purola and the proposed controversial Mahapanchayat being disallowed had become public.

Later, on June 15, the Chief Justice of Uttarkhand High Court, Vipin Sanghi, had heard the APCR petition moved against the Mahapanchayat and stated that it was the paramount duty of the State to ensure that law, order and peace is maintained and that there is no loss of life and property of any person in the state. The court had also the directed all respondents (state, police) to take whatever steps necessary to fulfil their Constitutional obligation to maintain law and order and protect the lives of all.

Lastly, the police ATR states that that since June 17, all the shops of people belonging to the minority religion in Purola Kasba Bazar opened peacefully. Furthermore, sufficient police forces had been deployed for the safety of people belonging to a particular religion and maintain communal harmony and law and order. The report further states “Presently, there is peace in Purola and anti-social elements are being monitored constantly by local police. The investigators in cases filed in the connection with the above matter have been given necessary instructions to legally proceed on merit.”

The complete reply of the police can be read here:

 

The complete complaint sent to the NCM can be read here:

 

Related:

One dead, over 8 injured after violence over alleged social media post in Maharashtra

Month after targeted violence, Muslim families return to Purola: Uttarakhand

Family of Purola minor denies religious motive, says it never was a ‘love jihad case’, Uttarakhand

Paramount duty of the State to ensure that law and order is maintained in all parts: Uttarakhand HC

Uttarakhand HC must stop the June 15 Mahapanchayat and assure protection to all citizens

SC orders petitioners to move HC on ‘Mahapanchayat’ immediately, also write to authorities: Uttarakhand Communal Tensions

Uttarkashi: Cross marks, “leave” threats on Muslim shops, hatred spreads to other towns: Uttarakhand

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Communal and instigating speeches made at Virat Hindu Sabha, CJP moves NCM https://sabrangindia.in/communal-and-instigating-speeches-made-virat-hindu-sabha-cjp-moves-ncm/ Sat, 15 Oct 2022 10:59:52 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2022/10/15/communal-and-instigating-speeches-made-virat-hindu-sabha-cjp-moves-ncm/ Blatant Calls made for boycott and genocide of Muslim Community by prominent religious leaders

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Boycott

The provocative speeches made at Delhi’s “Virat Hindu Sabha”, calling for aboycott of the Muslim community and even threatening violence,have been the subject matter of public debate, even outrage. The event, organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), was held in North East Delhion October 9, 2022and witnessedsome self-professed religious leaders and members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), espousing a hard, right-wing, exclusionist ideology delivering incendiary speeches that have the potential to incite hate and violence.

In order to ensure that a serious inquiry takes place in this matter, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has approached the National Commission of Minorities (NCM) to exercise its adjudicatory jurisdiction, initiate its own inquiry and monitor the police investigation as well. 

The most concerning fact about the impunity concerning the said instances of hate speech is that the Delhi Police have not taken any action against these perpetrators (till the time this complaint has been sent). As per news reports, and as mentioned in the complaint, an FIR that has been filed only under Section 188, that is, for lack of permission for holding the event. Some news reports suggest that the political leadership of the BJP has ‘admonished’ its leaders like Parvesh Verma for their role in delivering hate speeches.

CJP, in its complaint to the NCM, has detailed the hate speeches and call to targeted violence made by the following people:

  • BJP MP Pravesh Sahib Singh Verma

  • BJP MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar

  • Religious leader Mahant Nawal Kishore Das

  • Jagat Guru Yogeshwar Acharya

The complaint details excerpts of these speeches and has also shared with the NCM, the videos that were widely circulated on social media, which become proof that these speeches that were delivered. The complaint also details the various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Indian Arms Act that should be invoked in this case.

Videos of the speeches made at the event went viral on social media. In the present video, Verma can be seen and heard saying, “Jahan jahan yeh aaapkodikhaee de, maikehtahun, agar inkadimaagthikkarnahai… toh ek hi ilaajhai, wohhaisampurnabahishkar… Aap is baat se sehmat ho?” (If you want to set their minds right, if you want to cure them, there is only one solution – complete boycott.)

This is not the first time Verma has made comments targeted at Muslims. In January 2020, in the run up to Assembly Elections in Delhi, Parvesh Verma had in an interview to the news agency ANI, made disparaging remarks about the Muslim community in connection with the Shaheen Bagh protests. In the said speech, Verma had also openly threatened Shaheen Bagh protesters as he addressed a rally in Delhi. Parvesh Verma said if the BJP is voted to power in Delhi, it will only take an hour to ‘clear off protests in Shaheen Bagh’.

In another purported video that has been attached to the complaint, Nawal Kishore Das was heard saying that a knife fight cannot be fought with words. He said that Hindus have to take both Shastra (scriptures) and Shastra (weapons) together. He then suggested violence and asked the public to “get guns, get license. If you don’t get licenses, don’t worry. Those who come to kill you, do they have licenses? So why do you need a license?”

The complaint underscores how these statements “have now gone beyond being just hate speech and have become brazen calls for genocide and encouragement to pick up arms against the minority community.” The complaint further says, “Hate speech has not been dealt with an iron hand in the past few years and these makers of hate speech have not faced any serious legal action till date which has resultantly given them a free hand and has pushed them to make worse statements than they may have made before. The impunity with which they have been dealt with until now has made the social media a breeding ground for such public figures who have a wide audience who comment on their hate speeches, gets inspired by them and commit more illegal acts.”

The complaint urges NCM to take appropriate action saying, “The importance to act strictly and earnestly in this matter cannot be stressed upon enough and we are certain that you understand the magnitude of the situation. It poses a serious threat to the secular fabric of our country and need to be acted against at every instance so that it acts as a deterrent. If appropriate action is taken by this Commission, it will not only give a sense of security to the minority community but will also strengthen the values of fraternity, secularism that our Constitution upholds.”

The complaint may be read here:

Related:

CJP Impact: NCM acts on CJP’s complaint against Hate Offender Pravin Togadia
CJP moves NCM over Pravin Togadia’s communal oath at Trishul Diksha even
CJP moves NCM over Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul’s anti-Muslim genocidal speech
CJP IMPACT: NCM acts on CJP’s Complaint against genocidal speech of BJP MLA HaribhushanBachaul

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Hate Offender Swami Jitendranand calls for lynching of pregnant women, CJP moves NCM https://sabrangindia.in/hate-offender-swami-jitendranand-calls-lynching-pregnant-women-cjp-moves-ncm/ Wed, 08 Jun 2022 09:26:08 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2022/06/08/hate-offender-swami-jitendranand-calls-lynching-pregnant-women-cjp-moves-ncm/ Swami claims every ‘cow killer’ or anti-national should fall out of a ripped womb of Muslim women

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NCM
Image Courtesy: Youtube

Concerned with the overall atmosphere being generated through the systematic and perpetrated use of hate speech in the country, CJP wrote to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on June 7, 2022, bringing their attention to the brazen statements made by Swami Jitendranand Saraswati calling for the lynching of pregnant women and unborn babies in what seems to be a religious conclave at an unidentified location.

Here is the hate instigating video uploaded by him on his Youtube Channel called ‘Swami Jitendranand Saraswati Ji Maharaj’ dated 17.02.2022: 

The complaint highlights how Swami Jitendranand Swami in the hate speech video called “देशधर्मपरआघातहमचुपक्यूँहै (Why is the country silent on the attack on religion?) on his Youtube channel says, “Aisa singhnad karo ki desh virodhi mahila ki kokhmein koi gauhatyara, koi rashtravirodhi pal raha ho to kokh phaadkar gir jaaye. (Translation: Roar like a lion, so that if there is a ‘cow killer’ or an anti-national, being nurtured in the womb of an anti-national woman, your slogans should result in the unborn baby falling out of the ripped open womb.)” In the video he invokes his fantasy of an ‘Akhand Bharat’ or undivided India, and claims, “Our forefathers have made a lot of mistakes and we are bearing the fall out… Afghanistan etc was all akhand bharat then it disintegrated and we were left with this small piece … and secularism.”

The complaint describes how he goes on to explain his supposed encounter with a Jewish woman at Mumbai Airport who allegedly confessed to him that she has come to seek refuge in India and claimed that her mother was gang raped until death while her 13 year old sister was sold for $2. Equating all people following Muslim religion with the Taliban, he says that these people are so cruel that I do not even have the words to describe. He claims that these people who marry and rape 2 year olds will enter your house also tomorrow. He warns the crowd that they are in danger and asks them to say, Ab humko bolna hai watan ki fikra kar naadaan, museebat aanewaali hai. Tere barbaadiyon ke mashware asmaano mai…. Naa samjhoge toh mit jaoge hindustaanwaalo…. Tumhaari dastaan tak nahi hogi daastano mai. Toh aap sabhi log jaagruk ho jaiye. Aap sabhi log khade ho jaiye dharma ke prati. Apna dharam sikhata hai ke maa ko maa maan. Dusro ke beti ko behen maan. Duniya mai ek stri ke alawa sab teri maa aur behen betiya hai. Lekin who kya sikha rahe hai? Chaar shaadiya karo, dusro ke patniyo ko loot lo, dusro ke betiyon ko cheen lo, dusro ke dharam ka ant kardo, dusro ke pooja karnewaali guy ko kaat ke fek do.(Translation: Now we have to worry about the country, trouble is about to come. Be aware. All of you should stand up for our religion. Our religion teaches that consider mother as mother, daughter of others as sister…. In the world except one woman, all mothers are your mother and other’s daughters are your sisters. But what are they teaching? Do four marriages, rob the wives of others, take the daughters of others, put an end to the religion of others, cut and throw away the cows worshiped by others.)

At the end of the speech he also claims to set a flag on fire and at the end of the video he expresses his wish to turn India into a ‘Hindu rashtra’ while seeking support from his viewers. The complaint then draws a link between Swami Saraswati and his close aid of Haridwar, hate offender and genocide monger ‘Yati Narsinghanand’ who got away when he gave genocide calls at the Dharma Sansad in Hardiwar, Uttarakhand in 2021.

The complaint informs the Commission that presently the matter is in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and presses upon the fact that CJP’s experience with tracking hate demonstrates how this could have been contained if Yati Narsinghanand had been first acted upon, when in 2018 he started mis-using the social media (facebook etc) to threaten violence and urge the arming of ‘Hindu society.’

The complaint also brings to light that this is not the first time Swami Saraswati has engaged in such act of hurting religious sentiments of Muslims. Two months ago in March, he had brought a trishul to The Kashmir Files screening in March where he openly issued calls to violence, and made hate speeches. His words were aimed to incite communal violence and anti-Muslim hate among his audience that included children and women as seen at the movie screening. In the video, he can be heard saying, “You think that you are safe here but you are not. You have no preparation… They’re everywhere, not just in MP. They’re a threat to the whole world.”

Concerned with the blatantly abusive behaviour of Swami Jitendranand Saraswati is spearheaded with impunity by right-wing extremists and socio-culturally influential members of the majority community, the complaint further lists down the legal provisions violated by Swami Jitendranand Saraswati and relies upon the judicial precedents set out by the courts excluding the hate speech from the purview of freedom of speech and expression.

Sadly, Muslims are subject to an orchestrated right-wing campaign which is made worse with the tacit complicity of the government of the day that harbours a hate-filled ideology and holds undisputed sway and power. CJP has already reported this hate speech to YouTube, as soon as it was spotted but more calls have gone out on social media for his arrest and many users shared his hate speech videos tagging the handles of government authorities, asking that the hate offenders be put behind bars.

The Complaint may be read here: 

Related:

Pandit Ravi Sonkar threatens to behead worshippers at Gyanvapi mosque, CJP moves DGP UP
CJP Impact: YouTube responds to CJP’s complaint, takes down hate filled content!
CJP’s next step in countering Online Hate: YouTube urged to take action against hateful content
CJP Impact: Twitter suspends 21 accounts threatening Muslim women with sexual violence
CJP approaches Twitter over sexually violent content against Muslim women
Facebook refuses to act on CJP’s complaints against Ragini Tiwari
CJP Impact: NCM acts on CJP’s complaint against Hate Offender Pravin Togadia
CJP moves NCM over Pravin Togadia’s communal oath at Trishul Diksha even
CJP moves NCM over Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul’s anti-Muslim genocidal speech

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CJP moves NCM seeking action against Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul for anti-Muslim genocidal speech https://sabrangindia.in/cjp-moves-ncm-seeking-action-against-haribhushan-thakur-bachaul-anti-muslim-genocidal/ Fri, 13 May 2022 07:17:44 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2022/05/13/cjp-moves-ncm-seeking-action-against-haribhushan-thakur-bachaul-anti-muslim-genocidal/ The Bihar MLA had compared Muslims to Ravan saying they should be set ablaze like demons

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CJP Complaint NCM

On May 12, 2022, CJP brought to the attention of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) the genocidal speech made by BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul from Bihar to news reporters brazenly calling for the mass burning and in effect, a genocide of members of the Muslim minority.

The complaint points out the video uploaded by News 24 where Bachaul was caught openly calling for violence against Muslim minorities, comparing them to demons like Ravan (the chief antagonist of the Hindu epic Ramayan). “We need Hanuman ji so that our youth can be strong, and the people of our country can be strong. Just like Ravana’s Lanka was burnt by Hanuman ji, the demon-like Ravanas, who are hovering over Bihar and the country, should also be burnt,” says Bauchal to the reporters.

When asked where are these Ravanas in Bihar, he says, “You go and see what’s happening in Kishanganj, Purnia or Jokihat for that matter.” As per the National Herald, the said districts belong to the Seemanchal region in Bihar where 47 percent of teh population hails from the Muslim community. The region accounts for 24 State Assembly seats. Moreover, he compares the situation in these areas with those incidents recorded in the movie The Kashmir Files.

The video maybe viewed here:

The complaint also highlights the derogatory remarks made by Bachaul in February this year stating that Muslims living in India should be stripped of voting rights and treated as second class citizens. He said, “In 1947, the country [India] was divided in the name of religion and they got another country [Pakistan]. They should go to another country. If they are living here, then I demand from the government that their voting rights be withdrawn. They [Muslims] can live in India as second-class citizens.”

In the complaint, CJP also brings to light another incident from last year where he makes remarks on Muslims fertility rate. The legislator was caught saying, “Muslims want to convert India into an Islamic state. Law should be brought to control the population in the country. The resources in the country are very limited but some people want to increase the population and capture and turn India into an Islamic country. Muslim community is indulging into this. It is important to control the population in order to make India into a developed country from a developing country.”

In light of the above, CJP, in the complaint, lays out the charges that should be invoked against Bachaul under the Indian Penal Code:
 

  • Sec 153B (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration)
  • Sec 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs)
  • Sec 503 (Criminal intimidation) Sec 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace)
  • Sec 505 (Statements conducing to public mischief).

CJP believes that if open intimidation and speeches instigating violence are allowed to continue unabated, then such miscreants will be encouraged to create tension and cause mischief that disturb public order. Especially so, in view of the sensitive and hypercharged atmosphere today wherein aggression is being unleashed, unchecked, with impunity, on vulnerable and marginalised sections of our population.

Keeping in mind the magnitude of the situation, CJP has also stressed upon the importance to act strictly and earnestly in this matter, as it poses a serious threat to the secular fabric of our country.

CJP has urged the Commission to take immediate action in order to provide a sense of security to the minority community and strengthen the values of fraternity, secularism that our Constitution upholds.

The Complaint may be read here:

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Minorities Commission forwards CJP’s complaint against Tejasvi Surya Bengaluru DGP https://sabrangindia.in/minorities-commission-forwards-cjps-complaint-against-tejasvi-surya-bengaluru-dgp/ Tue, 11 Jan 2022 07:53:02 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2022/01/11/minorities-commission-forwards-cjps-complaint-against-tejasvi-surya-bengaluru-dgp/ In May 2021, the BJP MP had insinuated that only volunteers of minority community were responsible for an alleged "bed blocking scam" in the city to prevent majority community Covid-19 patients from getting medical care

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NCM

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has forwarded the complaint filed by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) against BJP MP Tejasvi Surya to the Bengaluru Director General of Police (DGP). Surya and three others had visited a Covid-19 war room for inspection in Bengaluru and made communal remarks against the Muslim community, accusing them of “blocking beds” in hospitals providing Covid-19 care. The NCM forwarded the complaint on December 29 and has asked the DGP to take necessary action in the matter.

In May 2021, CJP had approached the Commission about the incident that took place on May 4, 2021 where Bhartiya Janta Party’s Bengaluru (South) Member of Parliament, Tejasvi Surya listed out sixteen names all belonging to people from the Muslim minority community, linking them with an alleged bed blocking ‘scam’ in the south Municipal Zone.  He was accompanied by Chickpet MLA Uday Garudachar, Bommanahalli MLA Satish Reddy and Basavanagudi MLA Ravi Subramanya (who also happens to be Tejasvi Surya’s uncle). During his inspection of the Covid-19 war room in south Bengaluru, he chose to read out only the 16 names (all clearly Muslim-sounding) out of the 214 persons employed at the centre, asking their qualifications. In a video, Ravi Subramanya can be seen and heard asking, “Are you hiring for a corporation or a Madrassa? How can he appoint 16 members like a Haj committee?”

Tejasvi Surya was suggesting that 16 Muslim volunteers of the BBMP’s south zone unit may be responsible for the lack of beds in the city. Like his uncle, even Surya was heard asking if “they (Muslim volunteers) were recruited for a corporation or a madrasa?”

After this incident, a controversy erupted after WhatsApp forwards claimed that BBMP Joint Commissioner for Covid Care Centres and Solid Waste Management, Sarfaraz Khan, was involved in the bed allocation scam.

Sarfaraz Khan said he was extremely ‘pained’ to see a message being shared on social media accusing him of being involved in the alleged scam. The WhatsApp message listed 16 names of Muslim volunteers with the title: “List of terrorists working in BBMP war room killing thousands of Bengalurians.”

After a probe was launched, all volunteers were suspended but were eventually reinstated as the Bengaluru Police found no evidence against them. But five of them are still too traumatised to go back to work. 

The complaint

The complaint states that such statements not only instill hatred among other communities towards the minority community, but also demoralise them, creating a fear psychosis among the targeted community. “In the midst of this fierce, raging pandemic that is claiming thousands of lives every day, Indians are collectively working together to help people in need. But some leaders are indulging in unnecessary communalisation of the issue. Choosing to highlight only the Muslim names out of over 200 contractual employees is highly discouraging and demotivating for all those people who are clocking extra hours to help in whatever way they can,” the complaint says.

The complaint sought the following actions from the NCM:

1. Direct the Bengaluru Police to file an FIR against the MP and his fellow MLAs who visited the centre and made such communal remarks

2. Monitor the Police investigation against the MLA and his fellow aide under section 9 of the National Commissions for Minorities Act, 1992

3. Direct Tejasvi Surya, Uday Garudachar, Satish Reddy and Ravi Subramanya to apologise for their deeply hurtful and offensive comments against the minority community

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NCM asks Tripura gov’t to expedite report about alleged vandalism of mosques https://sabrangindia.in/ncm-asks-tripura-govt-expedite-report-about-alleged-vandalism-mosques/ Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:18:31 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/12/03/ncm-asks-tripura-govt-expedite-report-about-alleged-vandalism-mosques/ CJP had filed a complaint before the Commission on October 29 seeking inquiry into news reports that indicated vandalism of mosques and properties belonging to Muslims.

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NCM

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has sought an expedited action taken report (ATR) from the Chief Secretary of Tripura, in its letter dated November 18, 2021. This is in connection with a complaint filed by CJP against the alleged vandalisation of mosques, houses, shops in Tripura by right-wing groups.

Vide a complaint dated October 29, 2021, CJP had written to NCM in this matter detailing how several news reports suggested that mosques, houses and shops belonging to Muslims in Tripura have been vandalised, attacked and ransacked in retaliation to the anti-Hindu attacks in Bangladesh. The details of the 5 affected districts, namely, Unakoti, north Tripura, West Tripura, Sepahijala and Gomati were given.

In its complaint, CJP has also annexed videos found on social media which showed grocery and ration shops being burnt, a destroyed mosque property and some videos of mobs chanting inflammatory and derogatory anti-Muslim slogans.

Our complaint has also referred to the Tripura Police’s claim that it has provided “protection to mosques in sensitive areas” and has also warned against posting provocative messages on social media, and added “that the situation is under control.” They Took to Twitter on October 27 to state, “During yesterday’s protest rally in Panisagar, North Tripura, no masjid was burnt and the pictures being shared of burning or damaged masjid or collection of sticks etc are all fake and are not from Tripura. They may be from some countries.”

Since there are two sides to the story, we have urged the Hon’ble Commission to take cognisance of these scattered incidents and investigate these alleged attacks and targeted vandalisation. CJP had urged the commission to check the veracity of such allegations, and conduct a full-fledged investigation under section 9 of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. 

Accordingly, the NCM took expeditious action and sought a report from the Chief Secretary Tripura on November 8, 2021; however, since that letter did not draw any response from the state administration, this letter was sent on November 18, 2021 as a reminder and urging the administration to expedite and send a report within 15 days.

https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gifRelated:

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Yati Narsinghanand and his ‘ecosystem of hate’: CJP moves NCM https://sabrangindia.in/yati-narsinghanand-and-his-ecosystem-hate-cjp-moves-ncm/ Sat, 13 Nov 2021 08:45:13 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/11/13/yati-narsinghanand-and-his-ecosystem-hate-cjp-moves-ncm/ The complaint highlights how Yati Narsinghanand, has seemingly created Dasna as a breeding ground for hate where politically-motivated Hindus are trained and manipulated to act against Muslims to disrupt harmony

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CJP approach NCM

CJP has once again approached the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) against followers of Yati Narsinghanand, the head priest of Dasna Devi temple. Narsinghanand is notorious for making hateful speeches against women and members of minority communities. 

A few days ago, two of his followers, Suresh Rajput and Rahul Sharma, had during a live session on Facebook made a series of vile and hateful statements about the women who held the internationally documented anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest at Shaheen Bagh. In the video which was later shared across social media, the duo also supported the communal violence that ensued in Tripura in wake of the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. 

Yati Narsinghanand, who has reportedly been ordained as the mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, the largest recognised sect of Hindu seers in the country, has evidently built up social capital and his followers are getting a free hand in making speeches just like their ‘guru’.

Both, Sharma and Rajput, utter some unspeakable hateful words against the Muslim community, and Muslim women in particular. They specifically target those who had bravely sat for days at the anti- CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi. They also mocked Safoora Zargar in a particularly vile manner. Zargar  was one of the many anti-CAA protesters and was arrested by the Delhi Police for allegedly playing a part in the Delhi riots of February 2020.

The complaint states, “Yati is not a sole perpetrator and has built what seems like a gang of rouge men who go around disseminating hatred against Muslim community. What it seems like is that he trains these men under his patronage, brainwashes them into spreading hatred and sets them out to fulfill what he started off doing.”

In fact, the NCM has already acted upon CJP’s complaint against another disciple of Yati, namely Vikas Vikas Sehrawat alias ‘Malik Bhai’. NCM has written to Meerut’s Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) requesting a detailed report. Sehrawat had made a series of Islamophobic speeches whereby he openly issued death threats against Muslims and said that he had declared a war against them.

The complaint also highlights why it is important to take action against Yati himself as we had highlighted in an elaborate complaint to the NCM about his nefarious acts.

The complaint may be read here:

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CJP approaches NCM against Yati Narsinghanand’s hate speech

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Tripura: CJP writes to NCM over vandalisation of mosques and shops owned by Muslims https://sabrangindia.in/tripura-cjp-writes-ncm-over-vandalisation-mosques-and-shops-owned-muslims/ Sat, 30 Oct 2021 05:55:51 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/10/30/tripura-cjp-writes-ncm-over-vandalisation-mosques-and-shops-owned-muslims/ Right-wing groups have allegedly been attacking homes and shops owned by Muslims, forcing them to flee in distress

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CJPImage Courtesy:thehindustangazette.com

Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has written to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) over the targeted attacks experienced by members of the Muslim minority in Tripura. Over the last few days, mosques have been allegedly vandalised by right-wing groups. Further, shops and houses owned by Muslims have also not been spared by these mobs who are carrying out attacks as a retaliation to the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

During the Durga Puja festival in Bangladesh, incidents of vandalism were reported from Hindu temples which led to aggravated violence that left three people dead and dozens injured. The Bangladesh government was forced to deploy paramilitary forces in 22 districts.

After this news surfaced, Tripura has been seeing “outbreaks of retaliatory targeted violence” where Muslims are being targeted and certain homegrown extremist groups are taking the law into their own hands. Muslim families have been living in fear and distress over the past few days. Over 15 mosques have been reportedly vandalised and shops only owned by Muslims have been ransacked by goons.

CJP’s complaint has referred to reports by the news portal Maktoob Media, as per which, districts in Unakoti, North Tripura, West Tripura, Sepahijala and Gomati have been impacted by the violence. Several mosques in these regions have been allegedly vandalised and burnt down.

As per reports, on October 26, the grocery stores, ration shops, and godown owned by one Nizamuddin and one Amiruddin were set on fire during the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) rally. They allegedly burnt down Amiruddin’s three shops – two grocery stores, and a godown – which led to a loss of at least Rs 10 lakh. Amiruddin is reportedly the sole earning source in his 13-member family.

A rally was organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) which was moving by Assam-Agartala roads to Chamtila via Roa Bazar. It was reported that some miscreant groups from the rally allegedly set fire on shops. Additionally, they allegedly invaded homes of residents living near the market (Roa Bazar) and sexually molested women. They had also planned to attack Roa Jame Mosque, as per a complaint written by a group of 7 Muslims to the Panisagar police station.

CJP has urged the commission to check the veracity of such allegations, and conduct a full-fledged investigation under section 9 of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. “The repeated attacks, even though has been allegedly stopped as also claimed by the Tripura Police, needs thorough investigation and the culprits must be brought to justice”, read our complaint.

Our complaint has also referred to the Tripura Police’s stance that has said that it has provided “protection to mosques in sensitive areas” and has also warned against posting provocative messages on social media, and added “that the situation is under control”. They Took to Twitter on October 27 to state, “During yesterday’s protest rally in Panisagar, North Tripura, no masjid was burnt and the pictures being shared of burning or damaged masjid or collection of sticks etc are all fake and are not from Tripura. They may be from some countries.”

Since there are two sides to the story, we have urged the Hon’ble Commission to take cognisance of these scattered incidents and investigate these alleged attacks and targeted vandalisation.

The incidents of violent and direct attacks to hurt and alienate the minority community of the State, prima facie, reveal various brazen violations of the Indian Penal Code. CJP’s complaint has listed the various IPC provisions pertaining to being a member of an unlawful assembly, provocation to riots, hurting religious sentiments and acts prejudicial to national integrity.

We have brought to the attention of the commission that the rally of almost 3,500 people indulged in anti-Muslim sloganeering organised by Viswa Hindu Parishad, Hindu Jagran Manch, Bajrang Dal, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Lastly, our prayers state, “Conduct a full-fledged inquiry/investigation into the vandalisation and targeting of Muslim shops and home, and publish a comprehensive report on it for widespread distribution in the country” and “Take cognizance of the attack on the Muslim families in the state under section 9 (1) (d) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.”

CJP has also requested the commission to undertake studies into the various problems arising out of such discrimination against minorities and take up such matters with appropriate authorities under section 9 (1) (e ) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.

The complaints may be read here: 

Related:

NCM seeks report from DIG Meerut on CJP’s complaint against Yati Narsinghanand’s disciple
CJP moves NCPCR and NCM against assault on minor
CJP petitions the National Commission for Minorities against RSS leader

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CJP moves NCM over hate crimes against Muslims in Madhya Pradesh https://sabrangindia.in/cjp-moves-ncm-over-hate-crimes-against-muslims-madhya-pradesh/ Fri, 15 Oct 2021 06:20:08 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/10/15/cjp-moves-ncm-over-hate-crimes-against-muslims-madhya-pradesh/ Since August, right-wing groups have reportedly threatened and assaulted Muslims in the State

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Muslim Family AttackImage Courtesy: maktoobmedia.com

Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), has written to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), over attacks on Muslims in Madhya Pradesh since August. CJP’s prayer to the apex minority rights body is to conduct a full-fledged investigation into such incidents and also seek information about such attacks under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.

CJP has listed the incidents that have come to light over the past few weeks in the state:

On October 9, a Muslim family was attacked in Indore’s Kampel locality, after the family refused to leave the village dominated by the Hindu community. The family of about 8 sustained injuries on their head, arms, and legs. One family member, Fouzia, alleged that a group of 100-150 men associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), had come to her house and started threatening her family to leave the village. She said that her uncle, and her father, who is also a diabetic was assaulted and injured their arms and head. The mob allegedly broke her phone and injured her leg.

CJP’s complaint has also mentioned the case of Tasleem Ali, a bangle seller who was beaten up by a mob of right-wing Hindu groups on August 22 in Indore. The victim was warned to not enter the ‘Hindu’ locality. To further harass him, Tasleem was arrested on a complaint of the Class VI student, who stated that he introduced himself as Golu son of Mohar Singh (instead of Tasleem Ali) and molested her while her mother had gone inside the house to get money to pay for the bangles purchased.

A case was registered against him under sections 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (Sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment), 467 (Forgery of a valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (Using as genuine a forged), 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC as well as under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Meanwhile, Tasleem’s lawyer has alleged that when he went to lodge his complaint at first instance, no FIR was lodged and thereafter this case of molestation was lodged against him as an afterthought. Tasleem’s complaint was finally lodged after a crowd gathered outside the police station. 

CJP’s complaint also highlights how some posters have been put up in Ratlam prohibiting the entry of “non-Hindus” outside Garba venues. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) claims that non-Hindu men indulge in objectionable activities and thus their entry is being prohibited for Garba. One of the volunteers manning the entry at the college event, Habib Noor, a third-year B. Com student, has said that members of the Bajrang Dal had picked out Kadir Mansoori in the parking lot, saying “Ye unwala hai (he is one of theirs).” One Sajid Shah, Adnan Shah’s uncle released a video on social media stating that his nephew was put behind bars on allegations of “love jihad”. He questioned, “Can a Muslim not celebrate Garba in his college function?” He said that members of Bajrang Dal and VHP selectively dragged out the Muslim boys and handed them over to Gandhinagar Police station.

Impact of such vitriolic attacks

Our complaint states that the manner in which hate has been maliciously whipped up against the Muslim minorities in the state, needs immediate attention as this behaviour cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. “These are clear indicators that a persistent and all-pervasive attempt is made not just to disturb social harmony but worse, to create a climate of divisiveness wherein hate crimes preceded by hate speech are being deployed to target an already vulnerable minority community,” reads the complaint.

These attacks, we fear, will play into the deep communal divide the authorities are ignoring and we are on the verge of violence, targeted violence and social disharmony becoming the norm in our society. Hence, CJP has urged the commission to protect the minorities from this danger as India is a democracy which is committed to the ideology of tolerance and diversity.

The complaint further refers to the supreme court judgment of Tehseen S Poonawalla vs Union of India (2016), where the court has listed down the dangers of mob violence and how the state is responsible to maintain law and order in the society. The court had ruled:

“Mob vigilantism and mob violence have to be prevented by the governments by taking strict action and by the vigil society who ought to report such incidents to the state machinery and the police instead of taking the law into their own hands. Rising intolerance and growing polarization expressed through spate of incidents of mob violence cannot be permitted to become the normal way of life or the normal state of law and order in the country. Good governance and nation building require sustenance of law and order which is intricately linked to the preservation of the marrows of our social structure. In such a situation, the State has a sacrosanct duty to protect its citizens from unruly elements and perpetrators of orchestrated lynching and vigilantism with utmost sincerity and true commitment to address and curb such incidents which must reflect in its actions and schemes.”

The complaint has also listed down the various violations of law that include charges of rioting, hate speech, assault, causing grievous hurt, being a member of an unlawful assembly and attempt to murder.

Lastly, we have urged the Commission to take cognisance of our complaint and ensure physical protection to members of the religious minorities in a state like Madhya Pradesh where a culture of violence-driven immunity appears to prevail. We have also humbly requested the commission to issue guidelines/advisory to all State Governments/ administrations, State Police Departments to deal with communally motivated and partisan attacks in a stringent manner and urge the authorities to follow through with these complaints in a swift manner.

The complaints may be read here: 

 

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