Raja Singh | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:59:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png Raja Singh | SabrangIndia 32 32 Conspiracy or Coincidence? Mosques defaced in March after spate of hate speeches provoking the crime weeks before https://sabrangindia.in/conspiracy-or-coincidence-mosques-defaced-in-march-after-spate-of-hate-speeches-provoking-the-crime-weeks-before/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 10:22:47 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=33898 Provocation and crime: three separate incidents of vandalism and defacement of Mosques since January after three hate speeches calling for demolition of Mosques since January

The post Conspiracy or Coincidence? Mosques defaced in March after spate of hate speeches provoking the crime weeks before appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Hate speech is prosecutable when it has the potential of provoking violence, a crime. So, when three such cases of venomous hate speech by far-right leaders including BJP legislators (January 2024) result in three separate incidents of vandalism and defacement of Mosques since February should this not be seen as a case of collective conspiracy? Though geographically apart, the normalisation of targeted speech and violence in the country makes a case for such causality.

Every other day we report hate speeches targeting Muslims, Christians, Mosques and Churches made by named perpetrators — leaders and mobs —that incite violence and hatred.

In recent weeks, since January 2024, speakers have provoked their audiences to desecrate Muslim religious places. At least three such hate speeches have been delivered by Bharatiya Janata Party legislators and far-right leaders wherein calls have been made to attack and destroy Muslim places of worship.

Within a month they achieved their desired result.

March 2024 (Provocation & Crime): In the month of March, a video showing the slogan of Jai Shri Ram being displayed at a Mosque through laser lighting went viral. The video, posted by Hate Detectors on ‘X’, showed Jai Shree Ram being displayed over Surat’s Jama Masjid during a Hindu wedding. The incident took place in Gujarat.

The video can be viewed here:

March (Provocation): In March, Hindutva Watch reported a contentious speech delivered by BJP legislator Balmukund Archarya in Jaipur, Rajasthan. In his speech, Archarya can be heard raising a call for turning historical monument of Qutb Minar into a temple. He also mentioned the mosques of Kashi and Mathura, declaring that the Shahi Idgah Mosque and the Gyanvapi Mosque will suffer the same fate as the Babri Mosque.

The speech:

“Just like Ram has been brought back in Ayodhya and his idol has been established there, we have to follow the suit in Kashi and Mathura as well. We will, one day, visit our God in Qutb Minar as well. We will pray to red Hanuman in Red Fort. I have gotten another news that there used to be an ancient temple in Madhya Pradesh, and our God will be established there once again.”

The video is attached:

Details of more such speeches made are at the bottom of the copy.

February (Crime): In the month of February, the Observer Post had reported that on February 17, a Hindu monk by the name of Maharaj Hiranmoy Goswami led prayers inside the Adina Mosque in Malda with the support of a few young guys. The aforementioned action had sparked a heated dispute, necessitating the police’s intervention.

According to the article, local sources had stated that on Saturday afternoon, people from outside the state, aided by a few Hindu teenagers in the area, and started conducting religious ceremonies, such as puja, inside the mosque grounds. The local Muslim community became enraged by this conduct, which led to instability in the neighbourhood. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which was in charge of the Mosque, had then submitted a complaint upon which an FIR was then filed.

Another separate incident had taken place in February where during Saraswati idol immersion, miscreants had pelted stones at a mosque while passing through the area. The said incident had taken place in Bahera, Darbhanga of Bihar on February 16. As per a report in Maktoob Media, on the night of 16 February at around 7 pm, a procession for the immersion of goddess Saraswati was taken out in Badi Bazar of Baheda town on Basant Panchmi. News of “communal clashes” had emerged from the area.

“Under the Bahera police station area, a clash broke out between two communities during idol immersion. The officials reached the spot and brought the situation under control,” Darbhanga district magistrate Rajeev Raushan told media.

In one of the videos of the procession from Bahera, accessed by Maktoob, a mob can be seen and heard shouting the alleged slogans and vandalising the properties near the mosque. The video further substantiated that the procession moved towards Badi Bazar mosque, the Jama Masjid of the town, the Hindu mob allegedly raised slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” and Hindu religious songs were being played loud on DJ. The parked vehicles near the mosque were torched and broken by the mob. They pelted stones and bricks at the nearby houses. It is essential to report that the Bahera Police had booked more than 400 identified and unidentified individuals, both Hindus and Muslims, for allegedly inciting communal violence and attacking police personnel.

Other instances of incendiary speech in February and before:

February (Provocation): In the month of February, Rashtriya Karni Sena President Suraj Pal Ammu delivered an instigating speech in Aligarh, which he has referred to Harigarh in his speech.  The leader of this far-right extremist organisation asked for his audience to be ready to demolish the Gyanvapi mosque in Kashi to reclaim it. He repeatedly encouraged violence. The video of the same had been published by the handle of Hate Detectors on ‘X’ in February.

The speech:

“Are you all ready to commit a scandal in Mathura? The new government here is of SP (Samajwadi Party), are you ready to have cases filed against you? How many of you are ready for that?”

“Who all are happy with the beginning of worship (by Hindus) at Kashi? This could have happened when Manmohan Singh’s government was there, right? But this miracle could only take place during the tenure of the real son of Gujarat and India, Narendra Modi. This is his blessing.”

“Our country feels proud when the CM of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath walks and talks, feels like the son of a lion is there.”

Slogans of Jai Shri Ram are raised by the audience.

“I think Ayodhya and Kashi are equidistant from here. One day, if I declare it to the Karni Sena that the structure that is standing in Gyanvapi needs to be demolished, will you be ready for that?”

Gyanvapi khallaas karne ko tayar ho kya? (Are you all ready to destroy the Gyanvapi structure?)”

The audience answers with a loud “yes”.

The video can be viewed here:

January (Provocation): In the month of January, repeated hate offender, BJP MLA T. Raja Singh, had delivered a hate speech in Saswad, Pune in Maharashtra on January 31. The speech had been reported by Hindutva Watch. While the speaker targeted the Muslim community on many issues, such as Love Jihad and cow slaughter, we have extracted the part where he had raised calls for demolition of Muslim religious places.

Extracted speech:

“Hey (Asaduddin) Owaisi, you are crying so much over one Babur structure, we are not done with Kashi and Mathura till now. We are also not done with the Punyeshwar Temple in Pune. Every temple of ours that was destroyed by the jihadis and another structure was built upon it will not be left, I will promise you that.”

“Till now, we are only asking you about three temples, but we have not forgotten those fifty thousand temples that you destroyed to build illegal structures over. Once India becomes a Hindu nation, we will take accountability of every temple destroyed. Every jihadi will get what they deserve.”

Hate speech is not Free Speech as we at Citizens for Justice and Peace have frequently argued. It is the specific element and ingredient of call or provocation to violence that distinguishes the two. Simple slur or abuse do not qualify but when made by groups, individuals in positions of social, economic and political power against a section that is discriminated and marginalised –threatening that sections fundamental and constitutional rights to equality and dignity –speech gets criminalised and qualifies as hate speech.

In the instances reported here, speeches that calls for demolition (or defilement) of Muslim places of worship are only three such reported instances that have been covered by the team of SabrangIndia. Though there may not be a direct geographical or causal link between these words and the violent acts listed above, arguably the permissible climate of hatred they propagate has the power to enable these crimes and acts of violence.

 

Related:

Bodoland University’s cultural event reportedly displays Muslims as criminals escorted by police, student groups demand apology

Haldwani Violence: Cautioning police against overreach CPI-M delegation demands independent inquiry

Assam: Hindutva group issues ultimatums to Christian-run schools

Assam government repeals Muslim Marriage Act, terms it ‘obsolete’

Trend of divisive politics continues, 3 hate speeches by Assam CM in poll bound states

The post Conspiracy or Coincidence? Mosques defaced in March after spate of hate speeches provoking the crime weeks before appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Another case filed against T Raja Singh as he calls for fighting war against religious conversion https://sabrangindia.in/another-case-filed-against-t-raja-singh-as-he-calls-for-fighting-war-against-religious-conversion/ Sat, 09 Mar 2024 09:57:24 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=33723 In a recent speech in Karnataka made on March 4, Singh reportedly made incendiary comments against Muslims in India as he called them slurs and reportedly asked Hindus to rise against them.

The post Another case filed against T Raja Singh as he calls for fighting war against religious conversion appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
In Vijayapura, Karnataka, on March 4, BJP leader T Raja Singh was reportedly invited as chief guess at an event celebrating Chhatrapati Sivaji Maharaj. At the event, he reportedly stirred controversy with a speech containing inflammatory remarks against Muslims. The event which was reportedly organised by Janatha Seva Group, saw Singh using derogatory language while also reportedly encouraging attendees to take a pledge for a ‘war’ against “love jihad and religious conversions.”

“History is witness, that these slurs have always attacked from the back. They don’t have the guts to fight from the front. They will always attack from the back, that is their nature. When you people were in the parliament, you said that Babri was, will be there and you say you will tell your coming generations about the martyrdom of Babri Masjid. Then, listen, we will also tell our generations about Veer Chhatrapati Sivaji Maharaj’s bravery and Sahu Maharaj’s bravery. I will tell these slurs who say slogans favouring Pakistan, child this is Bharat. And in Bharat, the saffron (bhagwa) rules. And in Bhagwa rule, who says Pakistan Zindabad, they will be kicked. We need to prepare veers (soldiers) like Chhatrapati Sivaji Maharaj. Because back in the day, there was only one Afzal Khan…but now, there is one ‘Afzal Khan’ in every lane. So we need to prepare as many Chhatrapati Sivaji Maharaj. You have to be prepared and ready.”

“I will protect my desh, and until I am alive, I will protect my dharma. I will fight a war against religious conversion, ‘love-jihad’. I will protect my cow, I will protect my women.”

As per the page Hate Detectors, a case has been registered against both BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Telangana’s Goshamahal MLA T. Raja Singh following their speech at the event in Karnataka. The case was filed after a complaint registered by Congress leader Mohammed Tapal, has led to the registration of charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 153, 506, 504, and 505(2). As per reports, the Gandhi Chowk police are actively pursuing the investigation into this matter.

Singh also spoke to NavBharat Times, and stated the following.

“We will not let you forget how Babri Masjid was fallen and the way our Ram Sevaks worked, we will not let our generation forget. If Owaisi is crying because of one Ram Mandir. Owaisi has to cry more. We have to take Mathura and Kashi and all 40,000 thousand mosques made after temples were broken, we have to take back all of that.”

Known for his repeated use of hate speech against religious minorities in India, T. Raja Singh has gathered over a hundred cases filed against him, as per news reports. In the state assembly elections last year in Telangana, the BJP had revoked the suspension of T. Raja Singh. Singh, a notorious offender for hate speech. He had been previously suspended from the party by the BJP itself following incendiary comments targeting Muslims.

Related:

Chhattisgarh & Maharashtra: SC directs police to ensure no hate speech by BJP MLA Raja Singh & Hindu Jan Jagruti Samiti rallies

Mira-Road Bhayander Police rejects permission to BJP MLA T Raja Singh for rally on February 25, cites hate speeches

Notorious hate speech offender T Raja Singh has another case filed against him

T Raja Singh says India will be Hindu Rashtra by 2023

The post Another case filed against T Raja Singh as he calls for fighting war against religious conversion appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Bombay HC grants conditional permission to BJP MLA Raja Singh for Feb 25 Mira Road-Bhayander meet, orders videotaping and ‘No Hate Speech’ https://sabrangindia.in/bombay-hc-grants-conditional-permission-to-bjp-mla-raja-singh-for-feb-25-mira-road-bhayander-meet-orders-videotaping-and-no-hate-speech/ Sat, 24 Feb 2024 06:58:30 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=33409 Pursuant to the conditional Court order, CJP files follow-up complaint with Maharashtra police, urges officials to take necessary action; listed below are the list of offences for which Raja Singh has been charged

The post Bombay HC grants conditional permission to BJP MLA Raja Singh for Feb 25 Mira Road-Bhayander meet, orders videotaping and ‘No Hate Speech’ appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Raja Singh, an MLA of the Bharatiya Janata Party, is all set to hold a rally in Mira Road, Thane Maharashtra on February 25 at 5 pm. The event for which police permission had been denied in view of the high number of hate speech cases filed against him in Maharashtra and other states, has been given a conditional green light by the Bombay High Court. As per reports, a criminal writ petition had been moved by the Hindu Task Force and Sakal Hindu Samaj organiser, namely Naresh Ramu Nile, to the Bombay High Court under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution. Through the plea, the petitioner, represented by Advocate Khush Khandelwal, had challenged the police refusal of granting him permission.

During the hearing that took place on February 23, a division bench comprising Justices R.P. Mohite Dere and Manusha Ajay Deshpande has granted permission to Singh to conduct the proposed rally on the conditions that no hate speeches are made and that the said event is videotaped by the police in order so that required action can be taken post the event takes place and suo-moto FIRs can be filed, if necessary. The said conditional permission is in lines with the directions issued by the Supreme Court in the case of Shaheen Abdullah v Union of India, which directs the police officers to ensure that no hate speeches take place and the event is videotaped. As per the directions of the Supreme Court, the police are required to take suo-moto action against those found to be making any inflammatory statements and delivering any provocative hate speeches.

In its order, the division bench noted that “Needless to state that the Police to video record the entire procession that will be taken out by petitioner as well as the speeches that will be made at the said congregation/rally.”

In addition to this, the Bombay High Court bench has also directed the police officials to grant permission to Singh for the rally “on such terms and conditions as they may be deem fit and proper.” It is essential to note that Singh has also been necessitated to file an undertaking to the Deputy Commission of Police of Zone-I, Mira Bhayander that he and the organisers will abide by all the terms and conditions imposed by the authorities and will follow the route provided by the police authorities.

The complete order can be read here:

 

While the high court bench has urged the Maharashtra police to ensure that no hate speech takes place and directed for the recording of the whole event, which celebrates the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj, there is a high probability that the habitual hate speaker will once more deliver an anti-Muslim hate speech and get another FIR added to his name. On Saturday, February 24, Citizens for Justice and Peace has approached the Mora-Road Bhayander Vasai Virar Police with as additional petition urging full precautions and adherence to the directives of the Supreme Court in January 2024.

Singh, who is known for his divisive supremacist stance, was recently reinstated to the BJP after he was expelled in 2022 for making incendiary comments against Muslims. According to a report by Sabrang India, Singh is facing more than 100 criminal cases. In the current year itself, he has had a case filed against him in the state of Maharashtra for delivering a violent anti-Muslim hate speech. Last year, he had a total of ten FIRs filed against him across various states for delivering provocative speeches. These FIRs book the BJP legislator for “outraging religious feelings”, “promoting enmity between groups and communities”, and “making statements that amount to public mischief”. It is essential to note that while ten FIRs had been filed against him, no arrests have been made till now.

An updated list of the FIRs filed against him since the beginning of 2023 has been provided below. It is essential to note that the team of Citizens for Justice and Peace tried to contact the five police stations that had filed cases against Singh in the state of Maharashtra to follow up on the action taken against the offender. These police stations are Jail Road police station (Solapur), Dadar police station (Mumbai), Kranti chowk police station (Aurangabad), Ahmednagar city police station (Shrirampur) and the Shivaji Nagar police station, Latur. In all the 5 police stations, the CJP team was unable to gather any information owing to many reasons, including transfers, new joinees, lack of information, stated by the police officers. In some cases, the officers even refused to share any information related to the Investigating Officers in charge of the matter. 

Ongoing FIRs against T. Raja Singh since 2023:

S. No. District, State FIR date Police station at which FIR Sections
1. Solapur, Maharashtra

Date: January 6, 2024

 

January 7, 2024    Jail Road police station FIR under sections 153A and 295A of the IPC
2. Maharajgunj, Hyderabad

 

November 15, 2023 Mangalghat police station Case registered under Section 125 of the RPA along with Section 153 and 153 (A) of the IPC

 

3. Bhilwara, Rajasthan

Date: October 1, 2023

 

October 18, 2023 Cyber crime unit of Bengaluru police Zero FIR filed under sections 153A, 153B, 295A, 298, 505 (2), and 509 of the IPC.
4. Kota city, Rajasthan

 

 

May 23, 2023 Kunhadi Police Station FIR under sections 153A and 298 of the IPC
5.       Siddiamber Bazar, Hyderabad

Date: March 30, 2023

April 1, 2023 Afzalgunj police station Case registered under Sections 153A and 506 of the IPC.
6.       Shahinayathgunj Police Station

Date: March 30, 2023

April 1, 2023 Shahinayathgunj Police Station FIR has been registered under IPC sections 504 and 505 (2)
7.       Mumbai, Maharashtra

Date: January 29, 2023

March 27, 2023 Dadar police station FIR registered under IPC section 153A 1(a)
8.       Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Date: March 19 , 2023

March 20, 2023 Kranti Chowk police station FIR registered under IPC section 153A 1(a)
9.       Srirampur, Maharashtra

Date: March 10, 2023

March 15, 2023 Ahmednagar district police Sections 295, 504 and 506 invoked in the FIR filed

 

10.       Latur, Maharashtra February 27, 2023 Shivaji Nagar police station FIR under sections 153A, 153B, 295A, and 505 of the IPC.
11.                Ajmer Dargah, Hyderabad

 

 

January 19, 2023 Mangalhat police station Section 295-A of the IPC

Following investigations, Singh had been directed by Mangalhat police station to not commit any offences in the future, not tamper with any of the evidence in the current case. He had also been directed to not threaten, induce or coerce any person acquainted with the facts of the case.

All documents regarding the case had to be produced by Singh, any failure to comply with the notice could result in the MLA’s arrest as per Section 41 A (3) and (4) of the CrPC

 

The team of Citizens for Justice and Peace has been meticulously documenting the speeches being delivered by Raja Singh and has also been filing complaints against the habitual hate offender for years. From police officials to statutory authorities, CJP has approached many authorities to bring action against Singh for delivering, with impunity, violent hate espousing speeches. Even for the proposed ‘Hindu Jan Aakrosh Morcha’, CJP had filed a complaint with the Maharashtra police for not granting permission for the rally on February 20.

It is essential to note that after permission for the said rally was granted by the Bombay High Court, CJP had filed a follow up complaint with the Maharashtra police officials emphasising upon the conditions that were being imposed on Singh. Through the said follow-up complaint, the complainant had urged for the police to ensure that no hate speeches take place and that the event is folly videotaped, as necessitated by the High Court. The organisation also urged for the officials to take the necessary action against Singh if he is found to be in violation of the conditions that are imposed on him by the court.

The complete complaint can be read here:

Details of the previous complaints filed by CJP against Raja Singh since the year 2023 has been provided below:

 Complaints sent by CJP against Raja Singh

S. No. Date, Topic of the event District, State Date on which complaint sent (Pre-emptive or post event)

 

Authorities approached Sections invoked
1. Event date: February 25, 2024

 

Role: Speech and Rally

 

Event: Hindu Jan Aakrosh Morcha

 

 

Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra Pre-emptive complaint sent on February 20

 

 

 

 

1. Commissioner of Police

2. Deputy Inspector General of Police

3. District Collector

Section 149, 150 and 151 of the CrPC
2. Event date: November 13, 2023

 

Role: Speech

 

Event: Election Rally

Goshmahal, Telangana Post event complaint sent on November 14 1. Chief Election Commissioner

2. Election Commissioner

3. Telangana State Election Commissioner

4. DGP, Telangana

 

MCC guidelines, Section 123 and 125 of the RPA, Section 153A, 153B, 298, 505, 505(2) of the IPC
3. Event date: October 2023 (dates unclear)

 

Role: Speech in Gujarat, contentious letter sent to garba organisers in Hyderabad

 

Event: Garba events

Surat, Gujarat

 

Goshmahal, Telangana

Post event complaint sent on October 25 1. Chief Election Commissioner

2. Election Commissioner

3. Telangana State Election Commissioner

4. DGP, Telangana

 

MCC guidelines, Section 123 and 125 of the RPA, Section 153A, 153B, 298, 505, 505(2) of the IPC
4. Event date: May 2023 (dates unclear)

 

Role: Speech

 

Event: Election Rallies

Karnataka Post event complaint sent on May 8 1. Karnataka State Election Commissioner

2. Chief Election Commissioner

3. Director General & Inspector General of Police, Karnataka

 

MCC guidelines, Section 123 and 125 of the RPA, Section 153A, 153B, 298, 505, 505(2) of the IPC
5. Event date: March 30 2023

 

Role: Speech, Rally on Ram Navami

 

Event: Vishal Shri Ram Navami Shobha Yatra

Dhoolpet, Hyderabad Pre-emptive complaint sent on March 29 1. SHO, Mangalhat Police Station

Hyderabad

2. ACP,

Goshamahal Division, Hyderabad

3. DCP, West zone,

Hyderabad

 

Section 149, 150 and 151 of the CrPC

 

Related:

Mumbai: Senior doctor asked to chant Jai Sri Ram by cab driver

Mira-Road Bhayander Police rejects permission to BJP MLA T Raja Singh for rally on February 25, cites hate speeches

CJP to Maharashtra Police: Halt BJP MLA Raja Singh’s rally in Mira Road, citing potential for public disruptions

Mumbai: Hate offender, T Raja Singh plans to come to Mira Road, as citizens file a complaint against politicians who stoked hate

Chhattisgarh & Maharashtra: SC directs police to ensure no hate speech by BJP MLA Raja Singh & Hindu Jan Jagruti Samiti rallies

Notorious hate speech offender T Raja Singh has another case filed against him

Conduct Fair Inquiry, take action against MLAs Geeta Jain and Nitesh Rane: Citizens of Mira Road-Bhayandar

The post Bombay HC grants conditional permission to BJP MLA Raja Singh for Feb 25 Mira Road-Bhayander meet, orders videotaping and ‘No Hate Speech’ appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Mira-Road Bhayander Police rejects permission to BJP MLA T Raja Singh for rally on February 25, cites hate speeches https://sabrangindia.in/mira-road-bhayander-police-rejects-permission-to-bjp-mla-t-raja-singh-for-rally-on-february-25-cites-hate-speeches/ Wed, 21 Feb 2024 09:28:24 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=33333 Yesterday, February 20 itself, Citizens for Justice & Peace had in a detailed pre-emptive complaint to the Mira Road Bhayander police pointed out not just the antecedents of the organisation and speaker, but also a slew of judgements of the Supreme Court directing the Maharashtra police in particular to take stern and pre-emotive steps to prevent provocative hate speech and resultant stigmatisation of minorities and violence. CJP moved to file the complaint after Singh released a video on social media calling people in large numbers to join his ‘Hindu Jan Aakrosh’ rally on February 25

The post Mira-Road Bhayander Police rejects permission to BJP MLA T Raja Singh for rally on February 25, cites hate speeches appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
The Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar Police Commissionerate has reportedly rejected the application of permission for a rally by the ‘Hindu Jan Aakrosh Morcha’ on February 25, Sunday where a prominent speaker was to have been BLP MLA, T Raja Singh.

While rejecting the application, the Police has mentioned multiple cases against T Raja Singh for creating a rift between two people by making provocative and controversial statements. Six cases in Maharashtra alone and 45 others in total in other states have been mentioned by the police in the rejection of permission letter.

The refusal letter states that in all his programmes, he makes provocative, offensive and hateful statements and if allowed to speak at Mira Road Bhayander, MLA Thakur Raja Singh (T Raja), this may lead to its reaction and create a renewed tension in the city, as well as create a rift between the two religions. There will be a threat to public life, property and large scale law and order problem cannot be ruled out. It is also reasoned by police that “Upcoming is 12th, 10th and other school and college exam period. If law and order problem arises due to the said rally and program, students may suffer academic loss.”

The Mira Road Bhayander police states that “We are not sure that we will control the whole program and the crowd participating in the program”, police said. Accordingly, Mira Road Police & Kashimira Police has issued notice under section 149 of CRPC to the applicant regarding the same.

Yesterday, February 20 itself, Citizens for Justice & Peace had in a detailed pre-emptive complaint to the Mira Road Bhayander police pointed out not just the antecedents of the organisation and speaker, but also a slew of judgements of the Supreme Court directing the Maharashtra police in particular to take stern and pre-emotive steps to prevent provocative hate speech and resultant stigmatisation of minorities and violence. CJP moved to file the complaint after Singh released a video on social media calling people in large numbers to join his ‘Hindu Jan Aakrosh’ rally on February 25

The meeting was ostensibly to o commemorate the birthday of Shivaji Maharaj, which is celebrated on February 19. Notably, this updated information regarding the postponement of the rally came after Singh’s planned rally on February 19 had been cancelled due to police not giving the required permission. The rally was scheduled to take place from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue (Kashimira) to S.K Stone (Mira Road). The application for permission was for the rally and for the public meeting on February 25 at at Salasar Central Park Ground, Mira Road at which the controversial BJP MLA is supposed to be present as the chief speaker.

The Police letter refusing permission, accessed from a local journalist may be read here:

Citizens for Justice and Peace Complaint dated February 20, 2024

Highlighting the violent history associated with the ‘Hindu Jan Aakrosh Morcha’ and the antecedents of BJP MLA Raja Singh, CJP emphasised upon the consequences that it could have upon Maharahtra’s social harmony by stating, “Under the name of esteemed Shivaji Maharaj, a leader revered by the Maharashtrians, for his pro-people, plural and inclusive governance, the values that he stood for has been distorted by the Hindutva groups in a way that serves their purpose of divisive politics. The far-right groups have selectively valorised (distorted) the idea of Shivaji Maharaj to a parochial and downright communal element in Maharashtra, especially over the past two and a half decades. Seeing that the rally on February 25 is being taken out by Singh in his name, it is near certain that hate-ridden and provocative speeches will be delivered and calls for violence will be made. It is also necessary to keep in mind the recent track record of the name attached with the rally and the “principles” that the speakers and the organisers stand for.”

It is essential to note that in the year 2024 itself, Singh had been booked by Maharashtra Police for allegedly making incendiary speeches at a ‘Hindu Jan Aakrosh’ rally, held in Solapur, Maharashtra on January 6. Referring to the same, the letter states that “There can be no doubt that if, with Lok Sabha elections around the corner the Mira-Road Bhayander police allows T Raja Singh to address the public, this will not just be a recipe for disaster but will polarise the atmosphere and create the social climate to ensure that the vulnerable sections are prone to aggression and violence.”

The complaint also provides the recent directives issued by the Supreme Court of India in regards to curbing hate speeches, which directs the police to video tape such events that has a probability of hate speeches being delivered and then file suo-moto FIRs against the speakers and organisers.

Concerned with the role that hate speeches play in stoking communal fires and instigating violence, CJP also mentioned that “Even as the law enforcement agencies had taken stringent action against those who had indulged in vandalism and violence at the time and attempted to bring the situation under control when groups belonging to different faiths had clashed, it was the dissemination of hate speech and incendiary rhetoric by the two elected representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Party, namely Geeta Jain and Nitesh Rane, that had further exacerbated tensions and contributed to the breakdown of law and order. It was only following the hate speeches delivered by these influential political personalities, especially MLA Geeta Jain, that on January 24, mobs on bikes with saffron flags had gone on a spree and vandalised shops of Muslim establishments.”

Noting the same, the letter further states “In this background, permitting another representative from the same political party, especially with a history of delivering violent hate speeches, will definitely lead to another untoward situation developing in the area.”

With this substantive background and facts, CJP urged for the Maharashtra police to urge you to take action as per sections 149 (Police to prevent cognizable offences), 150 (Information of design to commit cognizable offences) and 151 (Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences) of the CrPC and any other provisions of law, as deemed necessary by the police.

CJP’s detailed complaint may be read here:

CJP urges Maharashtra Police to deny permission to BJP MLA Raja Singh to take out rally in Mira Road as it could result in a law-and-order situations

 

Related:

Mumbai: Hate offender, T Raja Singh plans to come to Mira Road, as citizens file a complaint against politicians who stoked hate

Conduct Fair Inquiry, take action against MLAs Geeta Jain and Nitesh Rane: Citizens of Mira Road-Bhayandar

Mira Road: Muslim youth allegedly beaten in custody, denied food as Nitesh Rane tells supporters, “The Government is with you.”

Mira Road remains tense after violence outbreak

The post Mira-Road Bhayander Police rejects permission to BJP MLA T Raja Singh for rally on February 25, cites hate speeches appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Mumbai: Hate offender, T Raja Singh plans to come to Mira Road, as citizens file a complaint against politicians who stoked hate https://sabrangindia.in/mumbai-hate-offender-t-raja-singh-plans-to-come-to-mira-road-as-citizens-file-a-complaint-against-politicians-who-stoked-hate/ Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:12:43 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=33274 Mira Road continues to be a tense neighbourhood. Citizens from the neighbourhood filed a complaint with the police, demanding a fair enquiry and asking that there be an investigation of those BJP politicians, who put the already-tense neighbourhood in danger by making reportedly incendiary statements.

The post Mumbai: Hate offender, T Raja Singh plans to come to Mira Road, as citizens file a complaint against politicians who stoked hate appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Mira Road in Mumbai witnessed significant unrest and even violence after a Hindutva mob took to brutally vandalising and burning Muslim-owned shops and vehicles.

Six people have been asked to come to the police station after they submitted complaints regarding the events at Mira Road after the BJP MLAs Nitesh Rane and Geeta Jain made reportedly provocative statements. The police have asked them to submit proof of their claims, as per a report by Times Today. A written complaint had been filed earlier by more than a dozen residents of Mira Road with Vilas Supe, the senior PI of the Naya Nagar Police Station. The residents are asking for the registration of a FIR, an unbiased investigation, and legal action against Geeta Jain and Nitesh Rane.

On February 3, the citizens approached the senior police inspector. According to local residents, the senior PI accepted the complaint with some reluctance and provided an acknowledgment after conversing with them.

Sabrang India spoke to Sadique Basha, activist and citizen on ground, who stated that they have gotten a message from police to get proof, “Yes I got a message from the police. They have called us on February 21st and want us to get proof of the incidents regarding my complaint.”

The complaint detailed that on January 22, a gathering of motorcycles with saffron flags assembled in Naya Nagar, Mira Road, arrived with the purpose of creating fear. Following this, despite security measures by the police, incidents of vandalism and violence continued. The complaint details how the situation was worsened by the hate speech and inflammatory language by elected representatives, especially MLA Geeta Jain. The signatories of the complaint include Sadique Basha, Adv. Sanjay Pande, ⁠Sukhdev Banbanci, ⁠Saboor Ansari, Jhulmi Ram Yadav (Writer), ⁠Vinod Chand and ⁠Saroja Rajeshwari.

Geeta Jain and Nitesh Rane were seen urging for a Hindutva rally at the Mira Road residential area after the place was hit with anti-Muslim violence. Jain was even seen giving police an ultimatum. Furthermore, a report by The Wire has also revealed that when Rane came to Mira Road after the violence, he gave a press conference at the police commissioner’s office which was restricted to media personnel who were Hindutva supporters only. In the conference, he made various anti-Muslim statements and urged the Hindu community to ‘retaliate’, as per the report. The report also stated that another set of violence broke out after Rane’s speech where several Muslims were injured and arson and vandalism took place.

Meanwhile, earlier today the Muslim police issued notice under section 148 of the CrPC to AIMIM party spokesperson and former MLA from Byculla Waris Pathan, according to his X account he has now stated that he has been “illegally” arrested by the Mira-Bhayandar police. He has reportedly been on his way to meet the Police Commissioner to submit a memorandum against those who have given hateful speeches. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has called the action by the authorities in the area as “one-sided.”

Despite being almost a month since the violence at Mira Road took place, the atmosphere refuses to calm down. Another BJP leader, now all the way from Telangana, wants to come and hold a ‘sabha’ at the tense neighbourhood. Telangana MLA T Raja Singh, who is notorious for giving anti-Muslim hate speeches, has stated that he is going to take out a rally in the Mira Road area on February 25. Telangana BJP MLA T Raja Singh has cancelled his Mira Road visit. He was going to plan it earlier on February 19, but now has postponed it for the 25th of the month. He has stated to his viewers, “Chalo, let’s introduce people to our power on the 25th”, and has requested the police to not delay granting permission for the gathering.

Sadique Basha has further stated civil society in the area is also going to file a complaint to not let T Raja Singh enter the vicinity, and the people are hoping the police doesn’t allow him. He further seems to share little hope that the Singh will be prevented from reaching the tense neighbourhood, “Considering that Nitesh Rane came and gave a media address from inside the commissioners’ office, where the police give address the media, people are­ seeing this and think that the rally might happen. We are going to draft a complaint in this regard, and further approach the courts if our complaint is not accepted.”

 

Related: 

Conduct Fair Inquiry, take action against MLAs Geeta Jain and Nitesh Rane: Citizens of Mira Road-Bhayandar

Mira Road: Muslim youth allegedly beaten in custody, denied food as Nitesh Rane tells supporters, “The Government is with you.”

Mira Road remains tense after violence outbreak

The post Mumbai: Hate offender, T Raja Singh plans to come to Mira Road, as citizens file a complaint against politicians who stoked hate appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Notorious hate speech offender T Raja Singh has another case filed against him https://sabrangindia.in/notorious-hate-speech-offender-t-raja-singh-has-another-case-filed-against-him/ Sat, 18 Nov 2023 10:32:11 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=31157 A new case has been registered against T Raja Singh, BJP’s notorious hate speech offender and third time candidate from Hyderabad’s Goshamahal constituency. Citizens for Justice and Peace has recently lodged 2 complaints on account of him violating Model Codes of Conduct this year. The ECI has responded to the complaints on November 18 and has stated that it is taking the appropriate action required.

The post Notorious hate speech offender T Raja Singh has another case filed against him appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
A case has been registered by the Mangalhat police on November 16 against T. Raja Singh, the BJP’s candidate for Goshamahal, on allegations of delivering a hate speech during a meeting in the early part of this month. According to The Hindu, Goshamahal ACP Kotla Venkat Reddy has stated that the charges against Singh include a violation of offences under Section 125 of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951, which deals with promoting enmity between classes in connection with an election, along with Sections 153 and 153 (A) of the Indian Penal Code. According to Siasat.com, the complaint was lodged by Sub-Inspector of Police Shaik Aslam from the Mangalhat police station who has accused the MLA of delivering a hate speech at Agarwal Bhavan in Maharajgunj.

What is astounding that on November 16, Singh brazenly asserted that if the BJP does not secure victory in the upcoming Assembly polls, the party will at the very least find itself positioned as a considerably strong opposition. Singh, also made several claims, including accusing the ruling BRS party of colluding with leaders from the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM and orchestrating the inclusion of approximately “17,000 bogus votes” in the constituency. This, according to Singh, has turned the electoral battle in Goshamahal into a direct contest between the BJP and the AIMIM.

Singh was recently reinstated to the BJP just in time to be fielded as a candidate for Telangana state elections after he was expelled in 2022 for making incendiary comments against Muslims. According to a report by Sabrang India, Singh is facing more than 100 criminal cases. In the current year itself he has been a recipient of seven (FIRs) filed against him for delivering hate speeches;the latest one would be the eighth. In the election affidavit alone, Singh has disclosed that he is facing 89 pending police complaints against him; a glance at the list would tell us that most of these cases amount to “outraging religious feelings” under various offences of the IPC.

To solve this issue of legislators facing a number of criminal cases involving lawmakers, the Supreme Court had earlier on November 9, 2023, directed high courts across the country to establish specialised benches for monitoring such cases. Additionally, the apex court also stated that special courts should refrain from putting off court proceedings in these matters unless there are urgent and inordinate circumstances that compel oneself to do so.

Singh’s violations of the Model Code of Conduct

On November 14 this week, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) submitted a complaint to the Election Commission of India regarding Singh. However, despite this marking the second complaint that CJP has filed against Singh in the same election cycle. The Election Commission of India has responded to the two complaints by CJP on November 18, 2023. The ECI has stated that they have forwarded the complaint, and requested that appropriate action be taken as per ECI guidelines.

In the most recent complaint by CJP, Singh’s most recent speech delivered in his constituency of Goshamahal, Telangana during an election rally itself on November 13 was scrutinised. In this speech, he had urged supporters to ensure higher Hindu voter turnout by accusing “enemies” of cow slaughter, engaging in ‘Love-Jihad,’ and for enforcing religious conversions. “This is a battle for our dharma”, he had stated, “we must ensure that those of a different faith lose this fight,” Singh declared. Singh also made seemingly coloured and communal remarks at the opposition leader Asaduddin Owaisi, from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), based on his religious identity. Singh stated, “We do not support those who endorse terrorists; we ensure that such individuals encounter 72 hoorains.”

CJP has asserted in its complaint that Singh’s speech violates the principles of equality and non-discrimination outlined in the Constitution of India and furthermore, given that the Model Code of Conduct was enforced in the state on October 9, the complaint also highlights Singh’s violations of the guidelines established in the MCC.

Additionally, Singh also issued threats to those opposing him, the complaint details that he asserted, “This election is my ride or die; I am prepared to die for it and even kill for it. My brothers should think twice before betraying my trust, as becoming my enemy will not go well for you.”

The previous complaint, sent on October 25, had highlighted Singh’s use of the bogey of the ‘Love-Jihad’ narrative to justify his reported calls for keeping Garba celebrations as Hindu-only events, and calling for citizens to drive away Muslims even if they are employed at these events.

Similarly, in May 2023,CJP lodged a complaint against Singh with the State Election Commission of Karnataka arguing that his speeches not only breached the Model Code of Conduct but also qualify as an offence under the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The SEC-Karnataka had responded to CJP’s complaint and stated that they would be forwarding it to necessary authorities. In his Karnataka speech, he had made one particularly incendiary speech at a rally supporting BJP candidate Eshwar Singh Thakur in the Karnataka Assembly elections.

Singh is notorious for inciting hate not just in his own constituency or home state, but also across Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. In another poll-bound state that sees assembly elections this November, Singh was in Rajasthan in October giving communally charged speeches. Despite the presence of police at the event in Jaipur, he continued his anti-Muslim rhetoric and used slurs, and even made disparaging comments about Muslim women as he seemed to be calling for potential violence against Muslims. Standing at the podium with a banner reading “Dharma Sabha” behind him and flanked by police on both sides, Singh declared, “Every brave Hindu must become a soldier and strengthen themselves! Not to initiate violence, but if someone confronts you, they should not leave alive. We know how to deal with traitors, how to make them bow their heads. Visit Hyderabad sometime and see for yourself,” he raged on.

This event had also witnessed the presence of BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena who has been given a party ticket for BJP in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur.

T Raja Singh will be seen defending his seat from the Ghoshamahal constituency from Hyderabad. The Telangana elections covering 119 assembly constituencies are scheduled to take place in four phases spanning from November 30 to December 3, 2023.


Related:

BJP MLA T Raja Singh delivers hate speech during election rally, CJP approaches Election Commission again!

Unveiling the diverse impact of Hate Speech: From elections to escalating violence

Trend of divisive politics continues, 3 hate speeches by Assam CM in poll bound states

CJP urges action against violation of post bail conditions by Bittu Bajrangi, files complaint with Nuh Police

The post Notorious hate speech offender T Raja Singh has another case filed against him appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
BJP MLA T Raja Singh delivers hate speech during election rally, CJP approaches Election Commission again! https://sabrangindia.in/bjp-mla-t-raja-singh-delivers-hate-speech-during-election-rally-cjp-approaches-election-commission-again/ Fri, 17 Nov 2023 04:06:25 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=31113 Singh made anti-Muslim statements, targeted the opposition leader by promoting stereotypes against Muslims and issued threats against those planning to vote against him

The post BJP MLA T Raja Singh delivers hate speech during election rally, CJP approaches Election Commission again! appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
On November 14, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) wrote to the Election Commission of India against BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) electoral candidate and MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) Tiger Raja Singh. Notably, this is the second complaint that has been sent by CJP to the ECI against Singh in the same election. In the previous complaint, sent on October 25, Singh had raked the bogey of ‘Love-Jihad’ to justify excluding Muslims from the Garba celebrations.

In the present complaint, a hate speech delivered by Singh in his own constituency, in Goshamahal, Telangana on November 13, during an election rally was highlighted. The said speech was aimed at instigating disaffection, spreading misinformation, peddling conspiracies and promoting violence against religious minorities. The following statements show Singh indulging in the corrupt practices of promoting enmity between different communities/faiths, raising calls for violence and spreading misinformation to gain votes:

“You all need to ensure that more Hindus cast their votes by telling everyone that our enemy indulges in slaughtering cows, committing ‘Love-Jihad and forced religious conversions.”

“This is a fight of our Dharam, we have to ensure that adharmis (those of a different faith) lose this battle.”

Singh also targeted the opposition leader Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, for his religious identity and made problematic statements. He said, “We do not support those who support terrorists, we make sure that such people get to see 72 hoorains.”

Singh had also issued threats to those voting against him. As highlighted in the complaint, Singh had said in his speech that “This election is my ride or die, I will be willing to die for it as well as kill for it. My brothers should think twice before committing an act of mistrust with me as becoming my enemy will not serve well for you.”

He further attempted to create fear in the minds of the voters by alleging that they keep tabs on the movement of the opposition leaders. “We have kept tabs on all their movements, we know who is having lunch at hotels, who is crossing which street. I will hang all of them upside down after elections,” Singh could be heard saying.

Through the complaint, CJP highlighted that Singh’s speech stands in violation of all equality and non-discrimination provisions (secular and democratic values) enshrined in the Constitution of India and also amounts to the offences defined as “corrupt practices” under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Since the Model Code of Conduct had also come into force in the state on October 9, the complaint provided the violations committed by Singh under the guidelines laid down in the MCC.

As per the complaint, Singh is guilty of indulging in corrupt practices, namely putting undue influence on voters and promoting feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or language. The organisation has urged the ECI to take strict action against Singh as “targeting a religious minority, instigating communal violence, promoting discrimination and declaring unconstitutional diktats hampers the efforts made by the Hon’ble commission to ensure that religion does not enter the arena of politics. Issuing threats against voters on facing repercussions for exercising their right to choose their representatives also goes against the rights guaranteed to the citizens of India.”

The complete complaint can be accessed here:

Related:

Modi 2.0 govt’s instructions to turn govt officers to “Rath Prabharis” is a brazen infringement, former bureaucrat approaches ECI, Opposition protests vociferously

BJP leader delivers communally inflammatory election speech, CJP moves ECI

Complaint filed by CJP against Kailash Vijayvargiya to ECI gets forwarded to concerned officer; response awaited

BJP leader Shubhkaran Choudhary promotes corrupt electoral practices, CJP moves the ECI

The post BJP MLA T Raja Singh delivers hate speech during election rally, CJP approaches Election Commission again! appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
BJP lifts suspension on T. Raja Singh, a frequent hate offender, gives him a ticket: Telangana https://sabrangindia.in/bjp-lifts-suspension-on-t-raja-singh-a-frequent-hate-offender-gives-him-a-ticket-telangana/ Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:32:12 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=30552 T Raja Singh, “suspended” by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for his vitriolic comments on Prophet Muhammed last year, has not only been re-instated on the eve of the state polls in Telangana but given a ticket to contest; news of Singh issuing letters with some exclusivist content around ongoing Garba events meanwhile have also surfaced; this article traces the hate-filled track record of this BJP candidate from Telangana

The post BJP lifts suspension on T. Raja Singh, a frequent hate offender, gives him a ticket: Telangana appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
The Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) announced the revocation of T Raja Singh’s suspension from the party on Sunday, October 23. Suspended from the party last year after his offensive comments on Prophet Mohammed, Singh has been reportedly busy during the “suspension” period writing letters to organisers of Garba events, warning Hindutva organisations to remain ‘‘vigilant’ against “ghair-Hindu’ people.”’

The Telangana elections for 119 assembly constituencies will be held in four phases from November 3-15, 2023 and the Model Code of Conduct therefore came into effect on October 9. The letter drafted by Singh to Garba organisers has been reported on October 14.

Singh is known for being a frequent hate offender. According to news reports, he has around 100 and counting cases against him. However, the BJP has once again given him a party ticket to defend his Ghoshamahal constituency in Hyderabad.

The model code of conduct in anticipation of the Telangana assembly elections came into effect on October 9. Amongst other things, the MCC emphasises on the need to maintain communal harmony and refrain from making caste and communal comments. However, despite the MCC being set up in force in the state, the MLA was witnessed on camera allegedly making hate speeches. Though the erstwhile MLA’s defence on the issue (last year) when he was suspended was that “he only criticises Owaisi” but this is seen as criticising all Muslims, this is not borne out by a slew of hate speeches consistently and regularly made by him where it is Islam, Prophet Muhammed and Muslims who are a target.

This month, as people lay in anticipation for celebration of the festival of Garba, several videos of him have been circulating on social media in which he is seen urging Garba event organisers in Hyderabad to remain vigilant about the alleged entry of non-Hindus during the upcoming Navaratri celebrations.

According to one report, he has sent a letter to ten garba organisers in Hyderabad. The Goshamahal constituency MLA who was “suspended by the BJP” over his comments on the Prophet, had called for the restriction of entry to these Garba events exclusively to Hindus, citing concerns about the so-called ‘Love Jihad’ bogey and has expressed his concern for the ‘safety of Hindu girls’. Singh also has reportedly written that even the staff, including DJ’s caterers, bouncers, musicians, and lighting personnel etc., should not be from a non-Hindu community and thus, they should not be permitted near the Garba pandals.

 

Along with this letter to groups in Hyderbad, Singh visited Surat, Gujarat and gave the following speech at an event reportedly organised by Sanatani Sena on October 16, 2023, Singh made the following speech, “But, our garba and dandiya are being eyed by some people, some anti-Dharma people, which we should be vigilant about. Whose programme or temple is this? All are Hindu here right?’ The crowd replies yes. ‘Then what are ‘ghair-Hindus’ doing here? Do we ever go to their programmes? But these people run a conspiracy by donning the tilak, wearing the Kalawa, and come and make our sisters and daughters victims of ‘Love Jihad.”

These two of his recent speeches were published on social media on October 18, 2023.

In another similar event in Surat Gujarat from October 17, 2023, talking about the ‘aashirwaad given by his Gujarati brothers’, he reportedly made once more communally charged speech.

Furthermore, in his written appeal to event organisers, Raja Singh has also spoken about the alleged rise in ‘Love Jihad’ cases that have exclusively, according to him, occurred at these Garba events. In this vein, he has in his letter urged event organisers to take stringent measures, including requiring attendees to apply a tilak at the entrance and verifying their identity with Aadhaar cards before granting access.

The charged letter also stipulates that people other than Hindus should be denied entry to the Garba pandals. Additionally, Singh warned that a group of 100 ‘karyakartas’ will be present at the event with valid tickets, warning that people should take necessary preventive ‘steps’, “A team of 100 Hindu karyakartas will be present in your event with valid tickets and if any such entry (of Love Jihadis) is noticed, they will take necessary steps to prevent it (which in turn may spoil your event). So, please ensure that only Hindus are permitted to attend your event so that it is a success for you as well.”

This image with Singh’s directions on celebration of the Hindu festival Garba was shared by a seemingly right-wing, pro-BJP account called Kreatively. The caption for the photo was ‘Are you being vigilant, Telangana?’ These guidelines in the letter by Singh is similar to the speeches he had given in Surat earlier this month.

Do Singh’s statements affect peace and harmony?

What is further worrying that on Monday, October 18, an alleged ‘ruckus’ arose in Hyderabad at a garba event. Reports allege that the Bajrang Dal created an issue that a Muslim man had entered the celebrations to engage in ‘love jihad’ at the annual Navkar Navratri Utsav at the Begumpet Hockey Stadium in Hyderabad. According to Siasat.com, a video was circulated of the mob at the event by BJP’s legal cell member, Advocate Neelam Bhargava Ram, who even referenced T Raja Singh in his statement on X. The man accosted by the mob was allegedly handed to the police. However, when Siasat.com reached out to the Begumpet police station, they said no such man has been handed over to them. The organisers of the event have stated that there is strong possibility a business rivalry against them which is why their event was targeted.

What of his suspension from the party?

New reports arrived late Saturday evening that the suspension of Singh by the BJP might be revoked soon. Singh had been suspended from the party after he had made remarks against the Prophet, which had led to protests. Many social media users uploaded videos celebrating his reinstatement.

And on Sunday, the BJP released a statement attesting to the same. The party released a statement which stated that Singh’s reply and explanation was ‘considered by the committee’, on the basis of which they have revoked his suspension. According to Deccan Chronicle, The party’s state president G. Kishan Reddy said, “The decision was taken after the committee considered his explanation to the show cause notice served on him.” According to ANI, Singh had earlier expressed confidence that he would contest and win from the Ghoshamahal constituency again on a BJP ticket.

The party also released its final list for the upcoming Telangana elections which will be held on November 30th 2023, which featured Singh contesting from the Ghoshamahal constituency once again.

Singh, seen with garlands and a resounding smile, spoke to ANI stating the following, “MLA T Raja Singh says, “Goshamahal Assembly constituency comes under Hyderabad Parliamentary constituency. The MP is Asaduddin Owaisi who is anti-national. I am the MLA from here and I defeated one of his men to become one. Asaduddin Owaisi used to sell Muslim votes to Congress. He now sells votes to BRS. He is a businessman. In the time to come, I will keep winning from here and give a reply to the anti-nationals.”

Source: News Arena India. Singh at the BJP Headquarters in Hyderabad.
Source: News Arena India.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad MLA Asaduddin Owaisi took to X to make his observation on the matter.

Observers have stated that Singh being reinstated to the party comes in light as the list for the candidates for the upcoming Telangana assembly polls is likely to be announced soon. According to a report by The News Minute, several party leaders had stated way before the list released that they were expecting to see his name in the list once again; his followers too have been demanding that he be reinstated to the party. Singh was suspended from the party on the day when Hyderabad witnessed widespread protests after he repeated the offensive comments which were made by former BJP spokesperson, Nupur Sharma, regarding the Prophet. Sharma’s derogatory statements had ignited a fierce controversy across the Middle East as well as India.

 

According to the suspension letter issued by the part last August, 2022, the reason for his suspension was cited as ‘Rule XXV’ of the party’s constitution, which says that the ‘parliamentary board’ … ‘has the authority to take note of any breach of discipline by members.’ However, it did specify the event or statement which was breached. Following this, writing a response from jail, last August 2022, to the show cause notice issued to him in this regard, Singh had written to secretary of the BJP disciplinary committee Om Pathak that he had ‘never criticised Muslims’, and he was only imitating comedian Munawar Farooqui, according to Scroll.in.

While Singh had made comments on Farooqui’s show on August 20th 2022 he made derogatory comments on the Prophet on August 22, 2022. Furthermore, there is no mention of the video Singh released after the Nupur Sharma row wherein he made derogatory comments about the Prophet as she had.

After the video made rounds on social media, a crowd had gathered outside the Hyderabad police commissioner’s office and demanded Singh’s arrest after which he was arrested. This really begets the question as to why BJP is retaining a member who has repeatedly called for violence, especially against minorities. However, contrary to having concern over Singh’s violent speeches, Singh appears as more of a ‘star campaigner’ for the BJP, especially because he has won the constituency in Ghoshamahal twice previously. Singh has also been reported over the year to have made hate speech across the country.

Earlier this month, in Rajasthan too, Singh had made an incendiary speech at an event which even saw the presence of another BJP MLA from the state, Kirodi Lal Meena, according to Sabrang India. With news reports such as the one above alleging that over a 100 cases have been registered against Singh, Hindutva Watch has reported that Bangalore police registered another case against Singh where a zero FIR was filed against him for his reportedly anti-Muslim speeches given in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, earlier this month. However, despite the number of FIRs and complaints against him it remains to be seen whether Singh’s reportedly hate-filled speeches will be prevented from happening again.

Citizens for Justice and Peace has been complaining against Raja since as far back as 2018 when he first surfaced as an aggressive hate campaigner for the party making problematic statements over the Amarnath Yatra that takes place in Jammu & Kashmir each year

There onwards, in February 2019, CJP’s Hate Watch team had shed light on one hate speech by Singh which was broadcast to Singh’s approximate half a million followers on Facebook.

Singh was then, too, a sitting MLA and a party whip of the state when he made a post on his account wherein he explicitly urged his followers not to buy anything from ‘terrorist Kashmiris’ during the Amarnath Yatra. CJP complained to Facebook without delay. However, the video remained there till 2019 where it had gathered over 300,000 views.

However, Facebook continued to host his account despite numerous complaints, as well as FIRs lodged against him. Yet, CJP kept pressing on the issue after it learned that the page which was supposedly taken down on Facebook was still active. For instance, in February 2019, CJP was invited to a roundtable discussion on Online Hate Speech and Facebook Community Standards and during the question and answer session with Facebook’s representative Varun Reddy, the CJP team presented concrete examples of hate speech, such as Raja Singh’s page, which remained active despite repeated reporting and complains.

However, while his page was eventually taken down, his videos reportedly continued to proliferate on the social media site. What is alarming further is that it was two years later in March 2021 that Facebook, finally concluded that Singh had violated its community standards and his official account was finally removed from the platform. However, the earlier report by CJP observes that his hate-filled rhetoric continued to spread through what appears at first glance to be several of his “fan pages” like the Tiger Raja Singh Fan Club and T Raja Singh Samarthak Jalgaon PRK Group hosted thousands of followers.

In 2023 itself, CJP has rallied means to legally address his hate speech and communal tactics. Prior to Ram Navami processions organised by right-wing groups in Hyderabad and Mumbai, CJP proactively reached out to local authorities intimating them of the nature of these events. The team sent letters to the Santacruz Police in Mumbai and the Mangalhat Police in Hyderabad on March 28 and March 29, 2023 respectively.

In letters address to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Goshamahal Division, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, West Zone, Hyderabad., CJP maintained about Singh’s history which has recorded him consistently delivering hate speeches against minority communities and thus committed a violation of the Telangana High Court order that barred him from participating in rallies after being granted bail in a previous case.

Further, in May 2023, CJP submitted a complaint to the State Election Commission in Karnataka with regards to the hate comments made by the Singh during the election campaign in Karnataka. In the complaint, CJP had urged strict action against Singh for his speech since it included anti-Muslim slurs and thus was in direct violation of the Model Code of Conduct on two instances.

Despite these repeated violations of criminal law and Indian election law, T Raja Singh, though facing prosecutions and even having been jailed, has been chosen, again by the ruling regime in New Delhi as a candidate for the upcoming polls in the state of Telangana.

 

Related

Love Jihad now part of public policy in Assam

Hate Speech: T Raja Singh attempts to incite hate in Rajasthan

Indian minorities must be protected, GOI needs to take steps: IAMC report

Crossing all limits, BJP MLA, T. Raja Singh calls for genocide & economic boycott

The post BJP lifts suspension on T. Raja Singh, a frequent hate offender, gives him a ticket: Telangana appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Hate Speech: T Raja Singh attempts to incite hate in Rajasthan https://sabrangindia.in/hate-speech-t-raja-singh-attempts-to-incite-hate-in-rajasthan/ Thu, 05 Oct 2023 11:20:21 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=30161 A repeat offender, T Raja Singh continues to deliver hate speeches with impunity in Rajasthan while law enforcers and social media companies look away.

The post Hate Speech: T Raja Singh attempts to incite hate in Rajasthan appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Former Telangana legislator and suspended BJP member T Raja Singh strikes once again and is gaining notoriety for delivering hate-filled speeches which target the Muslim community all the way in Rajasthan. While suspended from the BJP, he enjoys the position of MLA of the Ghoshamahal constituency in Hyderabad, in spite of which the MLA travels to states like Maharashtra, UP and Rajasthan to deliver hate speeches.

On October 1, 2023, in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, Singh took to the podium and delivered an hateful speech saying, “Mullahs, you had the vehem (belief) that Ram Temple won’t be built in Ayodhya, you had the vehem that Article 370 won’t be brought down, and today, but did that not happen? Now they still hold the belief that India will never be a Hindu Rashtra. But India will become a Hindu Rashtra in 2026! When this happens, the capital will not be Delhi, but instead it will be Mathura or Ayodhya!” to loud cheers from the audience.

He went on further using derogatory slurs against Muslims, openly calling for the militarisation of the Hindu community and seemingly attempted to incite violence by proclaiming, “If they take one Hindu girl, we’ll take 10 of theirs.”

Just a day later, on October 2, 2023, which was the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi nonetheless, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Singh once again spouted communal sentiment in his speech. Despite being in the presence of police, he unabashedly continued his anti-Muslim tirade, using hateful slurs, and making derogatory remarks against Muslim women. This time, the rally even had the support of BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena. It may be of use to note that Rajasthan is set to see elections later this year.

With a banner saying Dharma Sabha behind him, Singh took to the podium flanked by police on each side, and stated “Every Hindu veer will have to become a Sainik and strengthen himself! Not to hit someone, but if somebody comes, he should not return from you alive. We know how to punish traitors, how to make them bend/bow their heads. Come, sometime to Hyderabad and see. Recently, there is a party named the Muslim League which carried out a rally where it said all Hindus who attend temples will be hanged, and the rest be made to read ‘their green book.’ They promised to make Bharat an Islamic Rashtra. Who are you to make Bharat so? We will make Bharat an akhand Hindu Rastra and nobody will be able to stop that!”

T Raja Singh’s hateful rhetoric has been a recurring theme in his political career and he has consistently stoked communal tensions and targeted the Muslim community, from Hyderabad, to Maharashtra to Rajasthan. Singh’s inflammatory speeches have certainly not gone unnoticed by the law, for instance he was arrested in August 2022 last year  for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Prophet Muhammad which had led to massive protests in Hyderabad. He was previously also suspended by the BJP after his remarks on the Prophet  sparked controversy in 2022. Authorities have even invoked the Preventive Detention Act against him earlier last year after having cited his involvement in numerous criminal cases and he has been detained for 76 days in one case. However, the Telangana High Court had granted him conditional bail and quashed charges under the Preventive Detention Act. The court however imposed strict conditions which prohibited him from giving interviews, and most importantly, making hate speeches, or holding celebratory rallies upon his release. Yet,  none of these legal and punitive actions seem to have played a major role in deterring the legislator, who continues to make divisive speeches with impunity. Furthermore, it seems that his fellow politicians too enjoy the impunity he has and thereby, as seen in the case of Rajasthan, have him over to polarise sentiments (presumably in their favour) prior to the upcoming state assembly elections in the state.

That T Raja Singh acts with impunity can be seen from numerous instances in the past too. According to a report by CJP, Singh explicitly urged his followers on Facebook not to purchase anything from “terrorist Kashmiris” during the annual Amarnath Yatra in 2018. CJP raised this issue with Facebook. However, by July 2019, the video had gathered over 300,000 views. Singh faced FIRs for promoting enmity between groups, yet Facebook continued to host his account which remained filled with vitriolic content against minorities. Furthermore, in the same year, CJP discovered that despite the apparent removal of his page, his official page remained active.

The report by CJP further notes how Raja Singh was also featured in an article by Wall Street Journal which was about  how Facebook turned a blind eye to hate speech by BJP leaders in order to keep its business interests safe in India. However, it was only in March 2021 that Facebook, after much dilly-dallying, finally acknowledged that Singh had violated its community standards and he was finally removed from the platform. However, the CJP report further notes how the offender’s hate-filled rhetoric continued to spread through so-called several of his fan pages like the Tiger Raja Singh Fan Club and T Raja Singh Samarthak Jalgaon PRK Group with thousands of followers.

In May 2023, CJP earlier had filed a complaint against  Singh with the State Election Commission of Karnataka and highlighted that his speeches not only violate the Model Code of Conduct but also are applicable offences under the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The speeches given this year followed his usual pattern and were communal on several accounts and were also anti-Muslim in nature. One of these had been spoken in a rally supporting BJP candidate Eshwar Singh Thakur in the Karnataka Assembly elections. Here is an excerpt from the speech in question:

“If the Congress comes to power in Karnataka, they will give full autonomy and freedom to the PFI. If the PFI comes back to Karnataka, then understand this, the Hindus will not remain safe, no one will remain safe. Our mother cow will be openly slaughtered then, they will commit Love-Jihad and Land-jihad, if the PFI comes back after the Congress wins. Understand this, if all this happens, whoever works for the Hindutva cause or calls themselves a Hindu, there will be a great risk for them.” CJP had sought strict action against him, and including barring him from from making any more hate speech during the phase of assembly elections. But no action was taken against him.

Singh has over over 100 criminal cases filed against him, according to Sabrang India. This year alone, he’s been hit with over 7 FIRs for delivering hate speeches. He has been witnessed making anti-Muslim speeches all year and despite these legal interventions, this is not the first time T Raja Singh has faced such charges.

In January 2023, for instance,  the Mangalhat police station in Hyderabad issued a notice to Raja Singh, who serves as the Goshamahal MLA. The notice pertained to a provocative speech he delivered at Ajmer Dargah in 2022. The complaint was filed by Syed Mahmood Ali and is registered at the Kanchanbagh police station under Section 295-A of the IPC.

The Mangalhat police too station had issued directives to Raja Singh to not to commit any offenses in the future, tamper with any evidence related to the ongoing case, or threaten, induce, or coerce individuals familiar with the case’s facts. They had also issued him a show cause notice for violating court set norms which set the conditions for his bail.

It is to be of note that Singh has been consistently visiting Rajasthan over the last one and a half years. As witnessed above where a sitting MP, Kirodi Lal Meena, is with him, this could only be possible if organisers of such events in Rajasthan have been inviting him to deliver the speeches which he has become so well known for today. This really points observers to the possibility that right-wing politicians are using such theatrics and hate speech to polarise sentiments before the elections, and it is part of an organised effort by the Right to incite violence,  polarise sentiment and continue to keep a grab on power and keep law and order ineffective when it comes to communal politicians.

 

Related:

Crossing all limits, BJP MLA, T. Raja Singh calls for genocide & economic boycott

No action taken by authorities as BJP MLA Raja Singh engages in communal hate speech again in Maharashtra

Hate Watch: BJP MLA Raja Singh served a notice for hate speech at Ajmer Dargah in Hyderabad

Prophet remarks: 4 hurt in protests against BJP MLA Raja Singh

The post Hate Speech: T Raja Singh attempts to incite hate in Rajasthan appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Serial hate mongering T. Raja Singh delivers communally charged speech at Telangana, targets Muslims https://sabrangindia.in/serial-hate-mongering-t-raja-singh-delivers-communally-charged-speech-at-telangana-targets-muslims/ https://sabrangindia.in/serial-hate-mongering-t-raja-singh-delivers-communally-charged-speech-at-telangana-targets-muslims/#respond Thu, 08 Jun 2023 11:43:55 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=27017 Referring to the controversial movie Kerala Stories, Singh urges Hindus to beware of Muslim women

The post Serial hate mongering T. Raja Singh delivers communally charged speech at Telangana, targets Muslims appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
Suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Hyderabad’s Goshamahal, T. Raja Singh, has delivered another hate speech against the Muslim community at Adilabad district of Telangana. In the said speech, he specified that only tilak bearing men can be his friends, and also urged Hindu women not to become friends with “burqa-wearing women”. The said speech had been delivered by Singh on June 4, and no FIR has been filed against him yet.

The speech

“Whoever has a tilak on his forehead is my brother and a Hindu. I will befriend only people who sport a tilak. And our sisters, please do not form a friendship with any burqa-wearing women. There was a time when we were under threat from Aftab, but now there is a threat from Ayesha as well. These are the Ayeshas who are introducing [Hindu] women to Aftabs.”

Referring to the plot of the controversial movie Kerala story, he further says that “the Hindu women meet one Ayesha, and that Ayesha then introduces them to others. So, we have to be wary so them too, right? What did we learn today? We learnt that we all 5000 people present here should take an oath to keep everything aside and work for the Hindutva ideology.”

The video of the speech can be viewed here:

Another hate speech, thriving impunity

Singh has been delivering similarly scripted and crudely worded threats against Muslims while raising the issue of “love jihad” in many districts and cities of Maharashtra, Hyderabad, Karnataka and Rajasthan. The repeat offender has been granted conditional bail by the Telangana High Court, with clear directions not to make any inflammatory comments. He however has continued to do so, overtly spreading hate and misinformation against the Muslim community on numerous occasions. It is essential to note that since bail was granted to him in August 2022, seven FIRs have been filed against him for delivering anti-minority hate speeches.

For a detailed view of the FIRs filed against him, click here.

Related:

BJP MLA T. Raja Singh, a serial hate-speaker with a history of communal speeches, delivers another anti-Muslim speech

No action taken by authorities as BJP MLA Raja Singh engages in communal hate speech again in Maharashtra

Suresh Chavhanke’s speech in Sangamner results in stone pelting post rally?

RSS seeks to disown Suresh Chavhanke, T Raja, says hate speeches don’t reflect RSS ideology

Another hate speech by Suresh Chavhanke, second complaint by CJP: Srirampur, Maharashtra

Maharashtra: D’ty CM Devendra Fadnavis alleges ‘Love jihad’ to be cause of rising numbers of missing girls

The post Serial hate mongering T. Raja Singh delivers communally charged speech at Telangana, targets Muslims appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>
https://sabrangindia.in/serial-hate-mongering-t-raja-singh-delivers-communally-charged-speech-at-telangana-targets-muslims/feed/ 0