The Event and the Complaint

The Janata-NRC event, organized on October 22, 2024 by the right-wing outfit Sakal Hindu Samaj in Karad, was the venue for Chavhanke’s controversial address. The CJP complaint highlighted that Chavhanke’s speech, laden with Islamophobic and divisive content, not only violated ethical standards of political discourse but also breached the MCC, which governs the conduct of political leaders during the election period.

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In the speech, Chavhanke allegedly claimed that Europe would soon cease to exist due to a Muslim takeover, making inflammatory statements about the growing Muslim population in India. He further propagated the debunked “love jihad” conspiracy theory and stated that India was at risk from “10 crore infiltrators,” referring to Muslims as a threat to Hindu culture and suggesting that they should be expelled from the country. These remarks, according to the CJP, were designed to create fear, manipulate public sentiment, and divide communities along religious lines.

CJP’s complaint, while condemning the hate speech, also referenced a recent FIR filed in Thane against another individual, Kajal Hindustani, for delivering a similar hate speech.

Key Allegations in the Speech

The complaint provides an in-depth analysis of Chavhanke’s speech, citing several excerpts that they argued violated the legal framework meant to ensure a fair and peaceful election process. The speech, according to the complaint, sought to create a sense of insecurity among Hindus by presenting Muslims as a demographic threat, manipulating fears about rising Muslim populations, and linking this to supposed threats like “Love Jihad” and “Land Jihad.”

One of the most controversial claims made by Chavhanke was the assertion that India faced a crisis of “infiltrators,” with an estimated 10 crore illegal Muslim immigrants in the country. He further suggested that the growing Muslim population would soon make Hindus a minority in several states by 2048. His remarks regarding Muslims being an “economic burden” on the nation and his demand for their expulsion were, according to the CJP, an incitement to religious hatred.

Chavhnake said in his speech that, “There are 10 crore intruders sitting in India. 1 crore in Maharashtra. 40 lakhs in Mumbai. 3.5 lakhs in your district. Infiltrators, those who came into the country without permission. Illegal citizens. Get this illegal citizen out now. Is it legal to say so or not? Is it morally right or not? Practical or not? Because all this money is a burden on this country from an economic point of view. It is also from a cultural point of view. From a social point of view, India is also burdened by this. Crime is also on very High Scale. And the biggest magic is that they are not a citizen of our country. So, can they stay here? But whoever says to take out those citizens is a patriot. I ask the Muslims of India like this, let’s start from Karad, how many Muslims in Karad, I appeal from here to Shahar Kazi, and the Shahar Maulana today, will you support us to evict the Indian infiltrators the city of Karad?” as per CJP’s complaint.

The video can be accessed through this link: https:
https://t.me/hindutvawatchin/669

Violation of Electoral Laws and the MCC

The MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India to ensure that elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. It prohibits candidates, political parties, and other participants from using communal language or promoting division among the public. Chavhanke’s speech, as per the CJP’s complaint, clearly violated several provisions of the MCC by inciting communal hatred and promoting a divisive narrative.

In addition, the complaint also pointed out that Chavhanke’s actions violated the Representation of People’s Act (RPA) of 1951, specifically Section 123(3A), which prohibits any attempts to create or promote enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, caste, or language to influence electoral outcomes. The CJP’s complaint argued that Chavhanke’s speech was an attempt to manipulate voters by appealing to religious sentiments, thereby undermining the democratic process.

The CJP also raised concerns regarding the safety of the Muslim community in Maharashtra, pointing out that such hate speech contributes to a growing atmosphere of intolerance and hostility, which can lead to real-world violence. The complaint urged the Election Commission and law enforcement authorities to take swift action against Chavhanke and other individuals who engage in similar hate speech, particularly during the election period.

CJP’s complaint dated November 8, 2024 can be read here:

Related:

Mtra Elections: On CJP’s complaint on an MCC violation FIR has been registered against Kajal Hindustani for hate speech

CJP Highlights MCC Violation: urges Maharashtra Election Commission to act on Hate Speech

CJP files complaint before Maharashtra Police against serial hate offender Kajal Hindustani

The post Suresh Chavhanke booked under s 123(3A) of RPA for violating MCC following CJP’s complaint appeared first on SabrangIndia.

CJP’s complaints emphasized that Chavhanke’s speeches promoted Islamophobia, religious intolerance, and harmful stereotypes. By spreading dangerous narratives such as “love jihad,” “land jihad,” and baseless fears of demographic change, he sought to polarize voters along religious lines, undermining the integrity of the electoral process. CJP urged the CEO Maharashtra to take immediate action against Chavhanke to uphold the principles of free, fair, and peaceful elections, ensuring that such hate speech does not go unpunished.

• Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune [November 7, 2024]

On November 7, 2024, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) filed a formal complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Maharashtra against Suresh Chavhanke for his inflammatory and divisive speech delivered on October 24, 2024, during the Janta NRC event. In his speech, Chavhanke claimed that 10 crore “infiltrators” should be removed from India, citing alleged court support, and referred to Muslim politicians as “traitors.” He also made derogatory remarks about Muslim-majority areas in Pimpri-Chinchwad, calling them “mini-Pakistan” and “no-go zones.” This speech constitutes a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which governs the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections to ensure fairness and a peaceful electoral process. Suresh Chavhanke said that “Now where did the figure of ten crores come from? Some journalist friends will be here. Some did not come here. But those are the two Namakharams of Hyderabad, traitors. Whether they watch anything else or not. They may miss a prayer. But he never misses what Suresh Chavhanke says at 8 PM.”

He further added that “Perhaps Hindus in India know me less. At that time, we were going from village to village. But friends I was telling you that defined. We won the court battle.”

“I know now. I asked when I was coming here, what happened in this place in Pimpri, Chinchwad and also Kundalwadi, Chikhli, Bhosari, Nigdi. No more Mini, no more Mini-Pakistan. There is a place in Mumbai. If you write the same name Pakistan, Pakistan on the postcard, still will reach there” he remarked.

CJP mentioned in its complaint that Chavhanke’s remarks were designed to stoke communal tensions by polarizing voters along religious lines and creating an atmosphere of hostility between Hindus and Muslims. By labeling Muslim-majority areas as foreign territories loyal to Pakistan, Chavhanke’s speech falsely portrayed Indian Muslims as a threat to national security and integrity. This dangerous rhetoric not only undermines the principles of free and fair elections but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes, portraying a specific religious group as outsiders and traitors.

CJP’s complaint to CEO Maharashtra on November 7, 2024 can be read here

• Ahmednagar [November 5, 2024]

On November 5, 2024, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) filed a complaint with the CEO Maharashtra against Suresh Chavhanke for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) with his hate-filled speech in Ahmednagar on October 20, 2024. In his speech, Chavhanke made derogatory remarks against the LGBTQ+ community, describing them as a propaganda tool aimed at undermining Hindu families and labeling them as part of “cultural terrorism.” He also made false claims about Christians targeting Ahmednagar for conversion efforts and stated that the phrase “Allah hu Akbar” was a supremacist statement designed to provoke Hindus. These comments were made during the Ahilyabai Holkar Anniversary celebration, a politically sensitive time during the election period.

As per CJP’s complaint, Chavhanke stated that “Men marry men, male marry male. A woman should marry a woman. Have you heard of LGBTQ? What going on is this? This is disinformation. Why should the family system be broken, while Hinduism and our Hindustan is surviving today beyond the thousand years reckoning of Islam. And if anything, the main reason for its survival is the Hindu family system and the contribution of women to it is the greatest.”

CJP’s complaint emphasized that Chavhanke’s speech not only mischaracterized Muslims, Christians, and LGBTQ+ identities but also promoted dangerous misinformation and hate. By injecting religious intolerance into the political discourse, Chavhanke’s statements violated the MCC’s guidelines, which are meant to ensure free and fair elections. His rhetoric fostered division and fear, equating the survival of Hinduism with the suppression of other communities. CJP called for immediate action, urging the CEO to address this inflammatory speech and its potential impact on the electoral process.

CJP complaint to CEO Maharashtra on November 5, 2024 can be read here

• Karad, Satara [November 8, 2024]

On November 8, 2024, CJP filed another complaint with the CEO Maharashtra regarding the violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by Suresh Chavhanke for his inflammatory remarks delivered at the Janata-NRC event in Karad, Satara, Maharashtra on October 22, 2024. Chavhanke’s speech, marked by Islamophobic and divisive rhetoric, directly contravened the MCC, which is designed to ensure a peaceful, fair, and unbiased electoral process. During his address, Chavhanke made several false and harmful statements, including claiming that Europe would cease to exist in five years due to a Muslim takeover, promoting the baseless conspiracy of ‘love jihad,’ and alleging that India faces a crisis with 10 crore “infiltrators” threatening Hindu culture. He further warned that rising Muslim populations would soon render Hindus a minority, stoking fears of demographic change. Chavhanke also controversially praised Myanmar’s Wirathu for expelling Rohingyas and highlighted the refusal to vaccinate them against COVID-19.

Chavhanke stated in its complaint that “What will be the biggest problem of India at this time out of which Love Jihad, Land Jihad, Waqf Board, Terrorism is the cause of all the problems, if there is any reason, then the growing population of Muslims are in India. You say this is going on with democracy, isn’t it? Democracy has increased it. “But the population ratio kept changing. Pakistan was given in the name of Islam. It’s time to give Pakistan again, many states were given, 9 states, Hindu minority in 2011. Census 2021 has not been done, if it is not done now, there will be minorities in 13 states. In the year 2048, it will become a minority. What is today 2024. After how many years, exactly 24 years. It will be appropriate for everyone sitting here to see 24 years” as per CJP’s complaint to CEO Maharashtra.

CJP’s complaint emphasized that Chavhanke’s statements were not only Islamophobic but also sought to incite religious fear and hatred. By linking the growing Muslim population in India to fabricated threats like “love jihad,” “land jihad,” and terrorism, Chavhanke portrayed Muslims as a threat to the nation’s security and social fabric. His remarks were designed to stoke fear of Muslims “outbreeding” Hindus, furthering the dangerous narrative that India was on the brink of becoming a Muslim-majority state. Through this rhetoric, Chavhanke attempted to polarize voters along religious lines, undermining the democratic process and the integrity of the election.

CJP complaint to CEO Maharashtra on November 8, 2024 can be read here

However, CJP, in its complaints, highlighted a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the Representation of the People Act, emphasizing the importance of political parties and candidates refraining from actions that deepen existing divisions or foster animosity between communities. Suresh Chavhanke’s inflammatory rhetoric, which included portraying the religious slogan “Allah hu Akbar” as a threat to other communities and making derogatory remarks against the LGBTQ+ community, sought to incite fear and mobilize support in ways that the MCC explicitly aimed to prevent. These divisive and hate-driven attempts to manipulate the electorate along religious lines directly violated the electoral code and called for immediate legal and electoral intervention. CJP strongly urged the CEO Maharashtra to take cognizance of the enclosed video, register a case against Chavhanke, the event organizers, and all identified perpetrators, and ensure their arrest for cognizable offenses under the relevant sections.

Related:

Suresh Chavhanke: The face of Hate Journalism

CJP moves NCM against Suresh Chavhanke for his Islamophobic remarks

Hate Watch: Suresh Chavkhane asks Muslim women to marry Hindu men

The post CJP moves CEO Maharashtra with three complaints over Suresh Chavhanke’s MCC violations appeared first on SabrangIndia.

An FIR has been filed against Sudarshan News channel’s editor, Suresh Chavanke, panelists Ravi Kumar Iyer and Siddharth Dave at the Pydhonie Police Station, Mumbai for airing and participating in a provocative news program titled ‘Aao Israel ka saath de, kal ki ladai ka saathi hai Israel’ (Come let’s support Israel, Israel is our partner for tomorrow’s fight).

The program that aired on May 17, showed morphed visuals of a missile attack on the Green Dome of Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, the holy city of Muslims, as a part of its coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The FIR has been filed by Madariya Sufi Foundation’s member Irfan Shaikh under Indian Penal Code sections of 153A (promoting enmity between groups based on religion), 295A (deliberate acts to outrage someone’s religious beliefs), 505(2) (Statements creating enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) and 34 (acts done in furtherance of common intention).

In the program, that was part of the channel’s Bindas Bol show, the editor highlighted how India has had a good and a long relationship with Israel, even before Islam was born. The entire show focused on how India must stand in solidarity with Israel, against the wishes of human rights activists, journalists, intellectuals in the country who are supporting Palestine’s cause.

The ongoing tension and violence in Jerusalem, with the recent Israeli airstrikes in the Palestinian city of Gaza have killed more than 200 people including children and women. The pictures and videos of the violence, the reactions of Palestinians are being circulated on social media. This tension began a few weeks ago when Israel ordered six Palestinian families to leave their homes in Sheikh Jarrah on May 2 to make way for Jewish settlers and then raided the Al Aqsa mosque a few days later.

After the broadcast of the Bindas Bol show, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader and national spokesperson, Waris Pathan took to Twitter, demanding Chavanke’s arrest under the National Security Act for trying to create communal disharmony.

Editorof Sudarshan newschannel @SureshChavhanke must be arrested under NSA or atleast U/S 295A 153 IPC.

He is a hate monger &habitual offender who is trying to create communal disharmony&hurting religious sentiments by broadcasting blasphemous news repeatedly#BanSudarshanNews pic.twitter.com/5YGom6aL29

— Waris Pathan (@warispathan) May 18, 2021

Known for its vitriolic anti-Muslim themed programs, Sudarshan News has been pulled up before by the top court for airing problematic shows. In September last year, SabrangIndia’s sister publication, Citizens for Justice and Peace, had moved News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) against Sudarshan for a trailer of the show alleging ‘UPSC Jihad’, insinuating that Muslims are rapidly infiltrating the Civil services.

The complaint was then forwarded to the I & B ministry by NBSA. The Ministry had cautioned the News channel and also called the show offensive. Eventually, the Supreme Court stayed the broadcast of the show, ruling that prima facie it appears that the programme vilifies the Muslim community and that the content was insidious.

Related:

CJP moves NBSA against Sudarshan News
NBSA forwards CJP’s complaint against Sudarshan News to I&B Ministry
SC cuts short Sudarshan News’s diatribe on ‘UPSC Jihad’

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