These events have seen the propagation of hate speech targeting minority communities, particularly Muslims and Christians, with calls for violence, economic boycotts, and the promotion of harmful conspiracies. The CJP’s complaints underscore the critical need for urgent action from the NCM and other authorities to curb the spread of such rhetoric and ensure the protection of vulnerable communities. As the situation escalates, it is increasingly evident that there is a pressing need to reaffirm India’s commitment to secularism, social harmony, and the safeguarding of minority rights.

Complaint over hate speech at Trishul Deeksha events

On January 29, CJP had filed a formal complaint with the NCM, raising alarm over a series of Trishul Deeksha events held in December 2024 across Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Organised by far-right groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), these gatherings featured openly inflammatory rhetoric, hate speech, and mobilisation against minority communities, particularly Muslims and Christians.

The complaint details multiple instances where speakers at these events propagated divisive narratives, including baseless conspiracies like ‘love jihad’ and ‘land jihad,’ while calling for economic boycotts and vigilantism. At a Delhi event, senior VHP leaders declared their intent to “liberate” religious sites such as the Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah mosques, while also targeting Ajmer Sharif Dargah, a revered Sufi shrine. In Himachal Pradesh, hate-filled speeches likened Muslims to “monsters” and falsely accused them of contaminating food, stoking economic and social discrimination. In Rajasthan’s Sirohi district, an event saw explicit calls for violence, with one leader urging attendees to “pick up weapons and be ready for war.”

Of particular concern is the complicity of law enforcement, as highlighted by a uniformed police officer in Sirohi who publicly participated in a Trishul Deeksha procession alongside far-right leaders. This raises serious questions about institutional bias and the failure of authorities to act against hate speech.

CJP has urged the NCM to take immediate cognisance of these incidents, investigate the organisers and speakers, and ensure legal and administrative action against those responsible for spreading hate and inciting violence. The organisation has emphasised the need for proactive measures to prevent the further normalisation of communal rhetoric, safeguard minority rights, and uphold India’s constitutional commitment to secularism and social harmony.

The complaint may be read here.

Complaint against hate speeches at ‘Dharma Sansad’ events

On January 22, CJP filed a complaint with the NCM regarding a series of hate speeches delivered at ‘Dharma Sansad’ events on December 20, 2024, led by Yati Narsinghanand and other right-wing figures. Despite being denied permission to hold the event in Haridwar, the gathering proceeded at another location, where inflammatory and violent rhetoric was once again espoused, targeting Muslims and calling for a Hindu-only nation. The speeches at the event included derogatory language and explicit calls for physical violence against Muslims, promoting a vision of a society devoid of religious diversity.

Narsinghanand, a known figure for his controversial views, reiterated his demand for a “Hindu Rashtra” and expressed a vision of a society with no room for Muslims, mosques, or madrasas. He also issued veiled threats against political leaders, further stoking communal tensions. Other speakers, including Kalicharan Maharaj and Shrimahant Raju Das, echoed similar sentiments, accusing Muslims of destroying Hindu temples and calling for violent action against them. The event also featured a monk who advocated for armed self-defence against Muslims and secular Hindus, calling for the prevention of Azaan and Muslim events in mosques.

These speeches have a grave impact on social harmony, further polarising communities and fostering an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among minorities. The hateful language used during the event has emboldened those with similar views, contributing to the rising tide of religious intolerance and making it more difficult to achieve peaceful coexistence. The impunity with which these individuals have acted and the lack of strong legal action against them has only worsened the situation, with social media platforms becoming breeding grounds for such harmful narratives.

In the complaint, CJP calls on the NCM to take urgent action, including initiating investigations, ensuring FIRs are registered against those responsible for inciting hate speech, and holding them accountable under relevant Indian laws. The complaint also urges the Commission to monitor the progress of investigations, compel authorities to take action, and issue further directives to prevent the spread of such dangerous rhetoric. This intervention is vital to safeguard the secular fabric of India and uphold the rights of religious minorities, preventing further escalation of communal violence.

The complaint may be read here:

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The post CJP demands NCM action on hate speeches at Dharma Sansad and Trishul Deeksha events, files two complaints appeared first on SabrangIndia.

These events, which involve distributing tridents and administering oaths to “protect Hindu identity,” have become platforms for promoting exclusionary ideologies and inciting communal hatred. Leaders at these gatherings propagated baseless conspiracies like ‘love jihad’ and ‘land jihad,’ while openly vilifying minorities, calling for economic boycotts, and glorifying vigilantism. Such incendiary remarks not only deepen social divisions but also normalize the idea of violence under the guise of cultural or religious defence.

The complicity of law enforcement, as seen in Sirohi, Rajasthan, where a police officer publicly joined the procession, further highlights the institutional challenges in addressing the rise of hate speech. The spread of these events, coupled with the lack of accountability for their organisers, underscores a broader campaign to marginalise minorities, undermine social harmony, and escalate communal tensions. This piece examines these recent incidents, the dangerous narratives they perpetuate, and the urgent need for robust legal and administrative intervention to counter this alarming trend.

Details of the incidents

1. Date: December 15, 2024

Location: Nurmaha, Jalandhar, Punjab

A Trishul Deeksha event organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal took place in Nurmaha, Jalandhar. During the event, a far-right leader made several inflammatory remarks, invoking controversial issues tied to communal tensions.

The speaker declared, “Now that Ram Mandir is built, Kashi and Mathura remain!”—a direct reference to the ongoing demands by right-wing groups to reclaim the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura. Such rhetoric stokes communal sentiments by framing these mosques as illegitimate structures atop Hindu temples.

The unidentified leader also commented on incidents in Sambhal, a district that saw communal tensions and use of excessive force by police forces that resulted in the death of five Muslims, stating, “What’s happening in Sambhal is natural because these people have built structures over many of our temples.” This remark further perpetuated communal antagonism, implying a justification for tensions in the region.

The distribution of tridents, coupled with speeches of this nature, raises concerns about the potential for communal violence. Events like these often serve as a breeding ground for hatred, normalising exclusionary ideologies under the guise of cultural or religious ceremonies. The local administration’s response—or lack thereof—will be crucial in determining whether such provocative activities escalate tensions in the region.

The video may be viewed here:

2. Date: December 15, 2024

Location: Delhi

A Trishul Deeksha event organised by the VHP and Bajrang Dal in Delhi witnessed incendiary remarks by Kapil Khanna, the president of VHP Delhi. Khanna declared that the next agenda of the VHP would be the “liberation” of Kashi and Mathura, referencing ongoing demands to reclaim the Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah mosques. He claimed that the successful construction of the Ram Mandir had garnered public support for these contentious objectives.

Khanna targeted Ajmer Sharif Dargah, a revered Sufi shrine, warning its devotees, “Go and put chaddar there, but next year you’ll have to do kanwar yatra instead.” This remark not only denigrated Muslim religious practices but also sought to provoke hostility against a significant symbol of interfaith harmony. He further propagated conspiracies about ‘love jihad’ and ‘land jihad,’ accusing Muslims of building mazars (shrines) as a challenge to Hinduism and vowed to oppose such structures in Delhi.

The video may be viewed here:

At the same event, Surender Jain, International Joint General Secretary of the VHP, also delivered a speech rife with hate and xenophobia. Jain called for the expulsion of alleged Bangladeshi and Rohingya “infiltrators” from India, accusing them of destabilising the country. He further claimed that Muslim vendors defile food with spit and urine, a baseless allegation aimed at inciting an economic boycott.

Jain escalated communal fear by alleging that Muslims were attacking Hindu festivals and spreading conspiracies about ‘love jihad’ and ‘land jihad.’ He demanded that shop owners display their religious identity, an act that could lead to further discrimination and segregation. He also encouraged Bajrang Dal members to assist the police in identifying alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators, effectively endorsing vigilantism.

The video may be viewed here:

These events illustrate the alarming use of Trishul Deeksha gatherings as platforms for spreading communal hate and mobilising against minorities. The speeches not only vilify Muslims but also weaponise divisive narratives like ‘love jihad’ and ‘land jihad’ to perpetuate fear and mistrust. The direct targeting of religious symbols, such as Ajmer Sharif Dargah, further fuels inter-religious tensions.

The endorsement of vigilantism and calls for economic boycotts undermine social harmony and the rule of law, posing a grave threat to communal peace in Delhi and beyond. The complicity of organisers and lack of accountability underscore the urgent need for legal and administrative action to curb such activities.

3. Date: December 15, 2024

Location: Nalagarh, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

A Trishul Deeksha event organised by the VHP and Bajrang Dal in Nalagarh featured hate-filled remarks by Tushar Dogra, a prominent figure associated with these organisations. Dogra propagated the baseless ‘love jihad’ conspiracy, alleging that outsiders were taking jobs in Himachal Pradesh and using their positions to “trap” Hindu women. This narrative sought to stoke fear and resentment against minority communities, particularly Muslims, portraying them as threats to both economic stability and societal norms.

Dogra went further, demonising Muslims by likening them to “monsters” and accusing them of contaminating food consumed by Hindus, a dangerous falsehood designed to provoke hostility. He used the anti-Muslim slur “Kathmulla,” adding to the dehumanising rhetoric often employed to target the community.

In addition to spreading communal hatred, Dogra advocated for an economic boycott of Muslims, urging Hindus to disengage from businesses run by the minority community. Such calls for economic exclusion not only deepen societal divisions but also threaten the livelihoods of vulnerable groups. The repeated emphasis on ‘love jihad’ and other conspiracies underlines the strategic use of these events to normalise hate speech and incite violence.

This event highlights the dangerous role of such gatherings in fostering communal divisions and legitimising hate speech under the guise of cultural or religious activity. By equating Muslims with existential threats to Hindu society, Dogra’s remarks not only stoke inter-communal hostility but also encourage vigilantism and violence.

The spread of conspiracies like ‘love jihad’ and calls for economic boycotts are emblematic of a broader campaign to marginalise Muslims and erode social harmony. The local administration’s failure to act against such provocative statements risks emboldening similar activities in the future, posing a significant challenge to peace and coexistence in the region.

The video may be viewed here:

4. Date: December 20, 2024

Location: Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

A Trishul Deeksha event organised by the VHP and Bajrang Dal took place in Chamba, where participants were administered an oath to combat the alleged conspiracies of ‘love jihad’ and ‘land jihad.’ The event, part of a broader strategy by these organisations, focused on propagating divisive narratives that vilify minority communities, particularly Muslims.

The oath-taking ceremony highlighted the commitment to “resist” what the organisers termed as threats to Hindu culture and identity. The invocation of ‘love jihad’—a conspiracy alleging that Muslim men deliberately target Hindu women for marriage to convert them—and ‘land jihad’—a claim that Muslims are strategically acquiring land to alter demographics—has become a recurring theme in such gatherings. These baseless narratives are often used to foster suspicion and hostility against minorities, promoting social polarisation. The focus on administering oaths at the Trishul Deeksha event in Chamba signifies an organised effort to ideologically bind participants to extremist agendas. By framing communal antagonism as a duty or moral obligation, these events normalise discriminatory behaviour and justify hostility towards minorities.

Such ceremonies not only deepen communal divisions but also embolden individuals to act on hate-filled propaganda, potentially leading to acts of discrimination or violence. The lack of accountability for these activities highlights the pressing need for legal and institutional intervention to prevent the escalation of communal tensions in Himachal Pradesh and beyond.

The video may be viewed here:

5. Date: December 22, 2024

Location: Sirohi, Rajasthan

A Trishul Deeksha procession organised by the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP) and Rashtriya Bajrang Dal witnessed a controversial and highly unprofessional incident involving a police officer in uniform. The officer greeted Rashtriya Bajrang Dal leader Rakesh Rajguru with a hug and joined the rally, marching alongside the participants. This incident has raised concerns about the impartiality of law enforcement, as it signals implicit support for organisations known for propagating communal agendas.

The video may be viewed here:

Later, at the same AHP event, a far-right leader delivered a dangerously inflammatory speech targeting the Muslim community. The speaker referred to Muslims as “jihadi cow killers” who “eat our mother cow” and declared they “can never be our brothers.” The speech glorified extremist Buddhists for their attacks on Rohingyas and propagated the conspiracy of ‘love jihad.’ The leader urged attendees to “pick up weapons and be ready for war,” describing Muslims as “termites eating our nation” and calling for their extermination.

The video may be viewed here:

Several other leaders had also delivered speeches filled with hate and false narratives targeting Muslims and Christians.

One speaker claimed that Muslim leaders were plotting to create a “Bangladesh-like situation” in India and alleged that Hindus were under existential threat in several states. Muslims were accused of destroying temples, slaughtering cows, and promoting “love jihad.” Christian missionaries were described as “poison,” and the waqf board was accused of illegally grabbing land.

Another speaker encouraged Hindus to marry Muslim women, asserting that they face harassment from Muslims and want to convert to Hinduism. Additionally, the speaker called for a financial boycott of Muslims to “weaken” their community economically.

The video may be viewed here:

The Trishul Deeksha event in Sirohi illustrate a deeply troubling escalation in communal rhetoric and extremist mobilisation. The participation of a uniformed police officer in the procession signals a dangerous breach of neutrality, potentially emboldening hate groups.

The speeches, filled with incendiary language and baseless conspiracies like ‘love jihad,’ ‘land jihad,’ and claims of a “Bangladesh-like situation,” aim to instill fear and incite violence against minorities. The targeting of Muslims and Christians, combined with calls for economic and social ostracisation, serves to deepen societal divisions. These events reflect the increasing normalisation of hate speech and vigilantism under the guise of cultural and religious activities. They underscore the urgent need for strong legal and administrative action to curb the spread of hate and preserve communal harmony in Rajasthan and beyond.

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The post Trishul Deeksha: A weapon for far-right mobilisation and communal division appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Of the total of 33 districts in Rajasthan, in at least 13 districts the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have been hyper active. By organising their brand of Trishul Diksha Samaroh. The first event was organized on December 3, 2022 in a village in Jodhpur district. Since then until now five such events have been organised in Jodhpur district alone.

But it is Jaipur District that tops this dubious list with the district that is home to the famed Pint City together hosting six events in  five months! From December 3, 2022 to May 9, 2023, 19 such Trishul Diksha have been organized in 13 districts.

What is a Trishul Diksha Samaroh?

CJP’s Team has been closely monitoring these events and even alerting police authorities and once, even chief minister Ashok Gahlot on the dangers of violence escalation if such meetings are allowed, unchecked.

Even in the past week alone, between May 27, 2023 and June 6, 2023,five events took place in which military style street parades were held at three (Jalore, Udaipur, Jodhpur) places and arms training at two Places (Chittorgarh, Fatehpur).

What happens at such a meeting? 

A few examples alone will suffice. For example on May 3, at Sanganer in Rajasthan a far right leader made the following provocative remarks that have the potential to disturb social harmony and result in mental and physical harm to both the Muslim and Christian communities by their stigmatisation.

He delivered a hate speech against Muslims and Christians at a Trishul Deeksha (trident distribution) event. “There are 5 crore Christians, and 50 crore Muslims in India. Out of these Muslims, 60 lakh are terrorists. In addition to this, there are certain people who are trying to divide India, all these people are our enemies. all these Muslims and Christians are fighting as one.

The day before at Gharsana, Rajasthan another a far right leader advocated for taking up arms as well as violence against minorities. The leader misrepresented Indian history to urge the audience to worship weapons, and sent the message that only by taking up can they save their Hindu religion.

On April at Mathania, VHP’s senior leader Surendra Jain delivered hate speech against Muslims at a Trishul Deeksha event. He peddled conspiracy theories and advocated violence while delivering an instigating and islamophobic speech: “We have to understand why Muslims have such a mentality and then only we can cure it. their mentality to commit jihad and make India Darul Islam has been encouraged by secular ministers such as Ashok Gehlot and Mamata Banerjee ” “This war is going to get bigger because there are many people like Gehlot who go to any limit to get some votes

On February 2, 2023 none less than Baba Ramdev was a chief host who said, “Ask a Muslim what your religion says, they will say that read namaz 5 times and then do whatever comes to mind. Whether you kidnap Hindu girls, do whatever sin you want to commit. They think that the meaning of Islam is only namaz.” “And for them, heaven means wearing pajamas over their ankles, cutting their mustaches, wear their caps. I am not saying that the Quran or any Islam tell them to do this. But that’s how people are doing it.

On January 15 this year, at Lokhawat, Jodhpur, one Ishwar Lal belonging to both the BD and VHP went so far as to say, ““We allow dogs and cats inside our house. And in many homes, you all allow Muslims and Christians. The ones who broke our temples. The one who kills our cows. The one who eats cows.”

“You buy Halal products. Never buy products that are ‘Halal’. Who gets that money? It goes to Muslims. What’s the name of the organization that stops this? Bajrang Dal.” “Population control bill has to be enacted. Otherwise, the temples will again be destroyed.”

Ishwar Lal seems to have been the chosen star of the Hindutva right. Before this he ws heard in the Keru Block of Jodhpur on December 17 stating, “Today, the Hindu religion is in danger. We have to show unity. And right now, our first enemies are Christians.” “Mother Teresa converted thousands of Indians to Christianity” “The second enemies are Muslims. Their objective is “we took Pakistan happily, and now we will take India forcefully” “every Hindu house should have a weapon. What can one not achieve by searching?”

View the entire table compiled by Team CJP here: 

View CJP’s Nafrat ka Naqsha here

In early May too we had reported on these disturbing trends More than 2,600 men, women and children have taken an oath to protect their Hindu religion by accepting trishuls (tridents) from far right organisations like VHP and Bajrang Dal in Haryana and Rajasthan in the month of April alone. On April 2, in Kekri Rajasthan, 1,100 Bajrang Dal workers were handed out trishuls. This included young women as well. This was done in Arya Samaj premises and the oath was administered by Sunderlal Kataria, a local VHP leader. A rally was also carried out.

CJP is dedicated to finding and bringing to light instances of Hate Speech, so that the bigots propagating these venomous ideas can be unmasked and brought to justice. To learn more about our campaign against hate speech, please become a member. To support our initiatives, please donate now!

At a two-day meeting of the Matsya Literary gathering Progressive Writers Association (PWA) at Machadi, Tehsil Raini, District Alwar on March 19, 2023, a strongly worded resolution was passed appealing to the people and government to resist the politics of division and hate..

“We also believe that the symbiotic relationship of minority communalism and majority communalism can not be ignored and call upon a cessation of hate-filled slogans at protest rallies and action against disinformation-led online campaigns that feed off the insecurities of our minorities and promote targeted acts of violence. “The scourge of sectarian hate is also directed at other disadvantaged groups including Christians and Dalits, who have also come under attack from divisive forces.

“We appeal to all citizens of Rajasthan to come together to reject hatred and violence and to work towards building a society that is based on mutual respect, understanding, and compassion. We must all stand together to ensure that the values of peace, justice, and democracy prevail in our society, and that the constitutional values of equality, liberty, and fraternity are upheld.

Neighbouring Gujarat and other states have also not been immune.

Forty days into 2023, we had reported a string of such events in Rajasthan and showcased their dangers to social harmony.

We had then iterated an interesting historiographical background:

“The November 2001 edition of Communalism Combat reported about the many trishul deeksha events in Rajasthan, “Of immediate concern is the systematic distribution of a few hundred thousand ‘trishuls’ — cleverly disguised Rampuri knives, six–eight inches long and sharp enough to kill —, delivering the lethal instrument to ‘every Hindu household’ in villages where the Trishul Diksha Samaroh is conducted. As we go to press, over seven districts in Rajasthan have had active ‘trishul’ distribution programmes. Raipur, Kota, Jaipur and Asind are only some of the places around which the campaign was being carried out. Most others have also been covered in this brazen attempt to militarise society in the garb of a religious programme”.

“At that time, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had revealed that nearly 40 lakh trishuls had been distributed nationwide by then.

“Similar Trishul Diksha events were held across Rajasthan in early 2003, in the run up to assembly elections in the state. Rajasthan is set to go to polls at the end of this year. In April 2003, the Rajasthan government had issued a notification prohibiting people from distributing, acquiring, possessing or carrying double or multi-bladed sharp pointed weapons.

“It is probably time to remind the Ashok Gehlot government of its own notification that it seems to have forgotten. The fact that most of these trishul distribution events have been reported in Congress governed and poll bound Rajasthan is a matter of grave concern. It  shows  the growing influence of prominent right wing organizations and their ideology deeply seeping into a communally harmonious state and this also displays the inaction on the part of the ruling government under Gehlot which is allowing such extremist ideology to be disseminated.

Citizens had complained to the Rajasthan government in January 2023 on the grave issue pointing out the violations of the law attracted by these events.

Violations

 Section 2 (1) (c) of the Arms Act defines “arms” as: Articles of any description designed or adapted as weapons for offences, or defence, and includes firearms, sharp-edged and other deadly weapons, and parts of, and machinery for manufacturing arms, but does not include articles designed solely for domestic or agricultural uses such as a lathi or an ordinary walking stick and weapons incapable of being used otherwise than as toys or of being converted into serviceable weapons.”

When it comes to sharp object that may be used as weapons, according to Schedule 1 – Rule 3 (V) that deals with arms other than fire arms: Sharp-edged and deadly weapons, namely-Swords (including sword-sticks), daggers, bayonets, spears (including lances and javelins); battle-axes, knives (including kripans and khukries) and other such weapons with blades longer than 9″ or wider than 2″ other than those designed for domestic, agricultural, scientific or industrial purposes, steel baton; “Zipo” and other such weapons, called “life preservers”, machinery for making arms, other than category II, and any other arms which the Central Government may notify under section 4.”

Under section 5 of the Arms Act, it is prohibited to offer arms for sale, unless he holds a license and the punishment for the same is imprisonment of up to 7 years.

Under section 20, a police officer or any other public servant or any person employed or working upon a railway, aircraft, vessel, vehicle can arrest without warrant any person found carrying or conveying any arms under suspicious circumstance.

Under section 22, the District Magistrate is empowered to issue orders for search and seizure if he/she has reason to believe that any person residing within the local limits as in his possession any arms or ammunition for any unlawful purpose or such person cannot be left in the possession of any arms or ammunition without danger to the public peace or safety.

Under section 25(3) whoever sells or transfers arms without informing the district magistrate or the police officer in charge of nearest police station shall be punishable with imprisonment up to 6 months. It also amounts to violations under the Indian penal Code under the following sections:

Section 122. Collecting arms, etc., with intention of waging war against the Government of India. — Whoever collects men, arms or ammunition or otherwise prepares to wage war with the intention of either waging or being prepared to wage war against the 2[Government of India], shall be punished with 1[imprisonment for life] or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, 15[and shall also be liable to fine].

Section 153AA. Punishment for knowingly carrying arms in any procession or organising, or holding or taking part in any mass drill or mass training with arms.—Whoever knowingly carries arms in any procession or organizes or holds or takes part in any mass drill or mass training with arms in any public place in contravention of any public notice or order issued or made under section 144A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.

Explanation. —“Arms” means articles of any description designed or adapted as weapons for offence or defence and includes firearms, sharp edged weapons, lathis, dandas and sticks]. 120A. Definition of criminal conspiracy. —When two or more persons agree to do, or cause to be done, — (1) an illegal act, or (2) an act which is not illegal by illegal means, such an agreement is designated a criminal conspiracy: Provided that no agreement except an agreement to commit an offence shall amount to a criminal conspiracy unless some act besides the agreement is done by one or more parties to such agreement in pursuance thereof. Explanation. —It is immaterial whether the illegal act is the ultimate object of such agreement, or is merely incidental to that object

Section 121. Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against the Government of India. —Whoever wages war against the 2[Government of India], or attempts to wage such war, or abets the waging of such war, shall be punished with death, or 1[imprisonment for life] 3[and shall also be liable to fine].

Section 141. Unlawful assembly. —An assembly of five or more persons is designated an “unlawful assembly”, if the common object of the persons composing that assembly is—

if any class of 2[citizens of India], 3[by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise], insults or attempts to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 4[three years], or with fine, or with both.]

Section 298. Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings. —Whoever, with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person, utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing of that person or makes any gesture in the sight of that persons or places any object in the sight of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Criminal intimidation. —Whoever threatens another with any injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of any one in whom that person is interested, with intent to cause alarm to that person, or to cause that person to do any act which he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do any act which that person is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the execution of such threat, commits criminal intimidation.

Section 504. Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace. —Whoever intentionally insults, and thereby gives provocation to any person, intending or knowing it to be likely that such provocation will cause him to break the public peace, or to commit any other offence, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Section 505. Statements conducing to public mischief. —2[(1)] Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report, — (a) with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, any officer, soldier, 3[sailor or airman] in the Army, 4[Navy or Air Force] 5[of India] to mutiny or otherwise disregard or fail in his duty as such; or (b) with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility; or (c) with intent to incite, or which is likely to incite, any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to 6[three years], or with fine, or with both.

Section 7[(2) Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes.—Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement or report containing rumour or alarming news with intent to create or promote, or which is likely to create or promote, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever, feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) also enumerates the powers of the District Magistrate in such instances:

‘Section 144A. Power to prohibit carrying arms in procession or mass drill or mass training with arms.— (1) The District Magistrate may, whenever he considers it necessary so to do for the preservation of public peace or public safety or for the maintenance of public order, by public notice or by order, prohibit in any area within the local limits of his jurisdiction, the carrying of arms in any procession or the organising or holding of, or taking part in, any mass drill or mass training with arms in any public place. There are also powers to disperse unlawful assemblies (sec 129). Rajasthan notification against Trishuls

Way back in 2003, the Rajasthan government under Mr Ashok Gehlot who was the Chief Minister even then. Had issued a notification was issued under Arms Act and stated that ‘distribution, keeping, and carrying of sharp, pointed and two- or multi-bladed weapons’ was banned.

The notification clarified that the order would not affect the use of trishuls in religious places and functions. Mr. Gehlot had then made a statement that his government considers the trident a weapon distributed to create communal disharmony.

The state of Rajasthan has clearly had a history of being intolerant towards such fringe elements trying to disrupt the communal harmony and the general law and order situation in the state.

Relying on this citizens had urged stringent action against Ishwar Lal for organizing such events and to ensure that the event scheduled to be held on January 15, 2023 is halted and prevented at all costs. We, thus, humbly request you to look into this grave matter at the earliest, in the interest of the public and also in the interest of maintaining law and order and public order in the state and accordingly take stringent action against the organizers of such events. We urge you to give necessary directions to concerned authorities to take stringent action in this regard.

However it appears in the lead up to election year, a oft approach has been adopted by the powers that be in the state of Rajasthan. An approach that however seriously endangers social peace and harmony.

The post 13 of Rajasthan’s 33 districts host Trishul Diksha Samarohs, spawn hate against Christians, & Muslims appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Rajasthan

From Dablana came a video on April 30 where VHP and Bajrang Dal distributed trishuls to hundreds of men and administered an oath to protect the nation and religion.

Location: Dablana, Rajasthan

Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang distribute Trishuls (tridents) among hundreds of Hindu men. pic.twitter.com/5pw8FpMFD4

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) April 30, 2023

In Banswara, about 500 Hindus were given trishuls by VHP and Bajrang Dal, reported News24 on May 1. The speaker addressing the audience raised slogans of “Satya Sanatan Dharma ki jay (Hail True Sanatan Dharma). He said this is their motto and that all of them should have complete dedication towards it. “The oath of religious protection is not an ordinary one. Those taking the Trsihul Deeksha should be aware they will become bajrangis by taking these trishuls. They should know it is difficult to walk on this path of dharma.”  

Location: Banswara, Rajasthan

Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal leaders distribute Trishuls (tridents) among 500 Hindus. pic.twitter.com/YvVLZlMHdk

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) May 1, 2023

On May 2 surfaced a video from Gharsana where a far right leader was speaking. He said, “we have seen our gods, whenever Hindus have worshiped weapons, Hindus have triumphed. See the bow and arrow of Lord Ram or Lord Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra or see Shivaji maharaj, they have always been victorious. Until we worship weapons we are safe. We follow traditions. All gods we worship have weapons in their hands.”

“Those who got scared converted and became Muslims as you can see. We will take this Deeksha and protect this society. Until Ram Rajya gets established I will not stay calm.. If any mulla or father (Christian) molests a Hindu girl, or casts an evil eye on our temples,  we will stop them and if required we (Bajrang Dal) will kill them,” he added.

Location: Gharsana, Rajasthan

At a Trishul Deeksha (trident) distribution event organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, a far right leader advocated for violence against minorities. pic.twitter.com/JgJdiqUsU0

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) May 2, 2023

On May 3 surfaced a video from Sanganer where during the trishul Deeksha event a far right leader made baseless claims about conversions  and population growth “there are 5 crore converted Christians in India. Now they are 10 crore and speaking of sons of Mohammed, they are 150 crore in population. They live in 56 countries and speaking of India, their population is 28-30 crores. Out of these 60 lakh are involved in terrorist activities. They are involved in cow smuggling and other terror activities and the rest who are involved in conspiracies to divide and break apart our country are all evil. In other countries they (Christians and Muslims) fight amongst themselves but in India they get together and fight against us”.

Location: Sanganer, Rajasthan

Far-right leader delivers hate speech against Muslims and Christians at a Bajrang Dal Trishul Deeksha (trident distribution) event. pic.twitter.com/Rma0o5dIro

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) May 3, 2023

On May 8, about 550 Hindu men were administered an oath to protect Hindu religion and given trishuls in Jaipur by Bajrang Dal members.

Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan

Bajrang Dal members distributed Trishuls (tridents) among 550 Hindu men and administered an oath to protect the nation and religion. pic.twitter.com/yAnKj6rjQt

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) May 8, 2023

In Pali, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Durga Vahini members distributed Trishuls among 1100 Hindu girls and administered an oath to protect religion and turn India into a Hindu nation.

Location: Pali, Rajasthan

Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Durga Vahini members distributed Trishuls (tridents) among 1100 Hindu girls and administered an oath to protect religion and turn India into a Hindu nation. pic.twitter.com/nZO3UQwBsN

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) May 8, 2023

Maharashtra

At the event organised on May 2 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, the speaker was seen openly giving calls for using the said trishuls to stop “love jihad” and religious conversions. He had said, “But they are converting our Hindu girls. Bajrang Dal must work against it. Religious conversion is taking place in good localities as well. These Christian pastors and Muslim maulvis take advantage of the uneducated people, who are not aware of the law and do religious conversion.”

Hundreds were present in the audience and an array of trishuls were placed before some idols of gods and goddesses.

Location: Nagpur, Maharashtra

Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal organized a Trishul Deeksha (trident) distribution event where the main speaker called for using trishuls to stop “love jihad” and religious conversions. pic.twitter.com/vsE0GKiNwZ

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) May 2, 2023

On May 9 another event was held in Nagpur. The video clipping of this event also shows that before the distribution of the tridents, speakers at the event gave a speech about Hindus and Hindutva. It was also shown in the video that these people chanted the Hanuman Chalisa. In the video, a short clipping of a man donning an orange scarf was played, in which he was heard saying “Today, the Hindu is aware and active, so they will not be getting votes from us, and they are now only gaining their votes from them. They want to target the Bajrang Dal only because they want to attack the Hindus. They won’t be able to get Bajrang Dal closed, but they might get their own shop closed this way.”

Location: Nagpur, Maharashtra

Bajrang Dal members distribute Trishuls (tridents) among 1100 Hindu men and administered an oath to protect the nation and religion. pic.twitter.com/zN12e7KD2C

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) May 9, 2023

Citizens for Justice and Peace wrote a complaint to Nagpur police over the two incidents of hate speech and trishul Deeksha. The complaint may be read here.

Related:

Maharashtra: CJP files complaint with Nagpur police against two trishul distribution events, organised by Bajrang Dal & VHP

Rising anti-Muslim fury in Rajasthan: Haj pilgrims attacked, Hindutva outfits urge women to use firearms

Rajasthan sees upsurge in Trishul Deeskha in April

“Protect religion, women and cows,” right wing groups tell the youth, hands them Trishuls

The post Trishul deeksha coupled with hate speech; Rajasthan tops the list again appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In the said complaint, CJP had flagged these two events, where demands for the declaration of India as a Hindu nation were also raised, and the speakers and members had indulged in peddling various conspiracy theories to generate hate towards Muslims. Through this complaint, CJP highlighted that Bajrang Dal (BD) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have been organising such trishul distribution events regularly in the state of Rajasthan, and have been creating disharmony, furthering their communal agenda. In reference to this, the complaint emphasised that since Maharashtra has been on the target of such Hindutva groups from November 2022, it is essential that the authorities urgently take action over these trishul distribution events being organised in Maharashtra, before these spread to other areas, districts and cities. The organisation has pointed out that these actions and speeches amount to nothing less than unlawful acts to mobs to take law into their own hands, intimiditate and commit violence. They also generate a sense of insecurity among vulnerable sections, India’s Muslims.

At the event organised on May 2, a speaker had also delivered the hate speech, while openly giving calls for using the said trishuls to stop “love jihad” and religious conversions. He had said, “But they are converting our Hindu girls. Bajrang Dal must work against it. Religious conversion is taking place in good localities as well. These Christian pastors and Muslim maulvis take advantage of the uneducated people, who are not aware of the law and do religious conversion.”

In the said complaint to the Nagpur police, CJP had sought swift and stringent action against the speakers, members and the extremist organisation of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad under sections of the Arms Act and certain sections of the IPC in view to the overall unsafe atmosphere for the Muslim community that is being generated through the systemic and the perpetrated use of hate speech and writing within the country. Reliance had also been put upon the recent judgments of the Supreme Court in the complaint. Urgent action was then urged as such expression of targeted and extreme hate with a clear communal objective to establish religious hegemony upon a community that is already a minority in numbers in the country, is deplorable and against the constitutional values that we uphold as citizens of this country.

It was also stressed upon in the complaint that such speech and hate content has the direct potential to cause physical and mentally bodily harm to marginalized groups, their women and render their already insecure life further eroded of dignity and equality.

The entire complaint can be read here:

Related:

Pravin Togadia delivers hate speech in 3 districts of Madhya Pradesh, attacks the religious minorities of India

CJP sends complaint to SP SDPO, Jalgaon for hate speeches delivered during an event organised by the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti

Citizens delegation demands action against HJDS, Sakal Hindu Samaj for anti-Muslim hate, meets CP, Thane 

FIR against Suresh Chavhanke in Jalgaon, Maharashtra

Defiant of the SC, Suresh Chavhanke, Raja Singh & Hindutva outfits escalate hate to dangerous levels

Hate speech spirals to a 7-day high, Muslims & Christians the target “Protect religion, women and cows,”

Wild Goose Chase: From filing preemptive complaints to following up with officers, a round-up of CJP’s efforts to curb hate speech

The post Maharashtra: CJP files complaint with Nagpur police against two trishul distribution events, organised by Bajrang Dal & VHP appeared first on SabrangIndia.

On April 2, in Kekri Rajasthan, 1,100 Bajrang Dal workers were handed out trishuls. This included young women as well. This was done in Arya Samaj premises and the oath was administered by Sunderlal Kataria, a local VHP leader. A rally was also carried out.

Location: Kekri, Rajasthan

Bajrang Dal gives trishuls (tridents) to over 1100 Hindu youths. pic.twitter.com/UvZTCleYjr — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) April 5, 2023

On April 3 surfaced a video from Narayangarh, Haryana, of hundreds of men taking an oath to protect Hindu religion by using the Trishul and not misusing the Trishul for personal use. In the crowd gathered, taking the oath, were also minor boys. The trishuls were being distributed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to 300 men.

Location: Narayangarh, Haryana

Far-right Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) distributes trishuls (tridents) among 300 Hindu men and administers an oath to protect religion and the Hindu nation. pic.twitter.com/OprOwktiE7 — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) April 3, 2023

On April 8 a video came up from Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan where Bajrang Dal distributed trishuls to about 100 men from various age groups. The men can be seen holding trishuls in their hands and taking an oath to protect Hindu religion.

Location: Sawai, Madhopur, Rajasthan

Far-right Bajrang Dal leaders distrubtes trishuls (tridents) among hundreds of locals. pic.twitter.com/pzJC7yo57A — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) April 8, 2023

As reported by Twitter user @HindutvaWatch on April 15, VHP and Bajrang Dal distributed trishuls among 1,100 men, women as well as children. A large congregation hall was booked for the same and amidst calls of Jai Shree Ram, an oath to protect cows and to create Akhand Bharat (unanimous India) was administered to all.

Location: Kishangarh, Rajasthan

Far-right Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members distribute trishuls (tridents) among 1100 men, women and children. pic.twitter.com/6K7koMPpjF — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) April 15, 2023

On April 17, in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, a rally was organised to distribute trishuls among men. Vishnu Salvi said during his speech that Hindus need to keep weapons at home.

Location: Jhalawar, Rajasthan

Far-right Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) organized a march and distributed trishuls (tridents) among hundreds of its members. pic.twitter.com/n2MIY7VCqb — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) April 19, 2023

On April 19, a video of VHP leader Surendra Jain gave a speech at Mathiana, Rajasthan, where the organization, along with Bajrang Dal was distributing trishuls. “We need to understand the mentality of Muslims which is due to their jihad, their dream of Dar-ul-Islam and they have been spoiled by India’s secular politicians like Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan Chief Minister) and Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal Chief Minister). They have told them (Muslims) to destroy Hindus and we will protect you. No matter what happens we will not let their plan succeed… Wherever Islam is spreading, the non-Muslim girls throughout the world are feeling unsafe. Now only Ram-Janmabhoomi issues have been resolved and slowly all issues will get resolved. The whole world will become saffron. A reporter asked me why are you doing Trishul Deeksha? If required to protect women, cows, saints we will take up weapons. Trishul Deeksha is not about taking up weapons. We will not give our other cheek forward if you slap us, today’s Hindu will break your hand even if you think about slapping us.”

Location: Mathania, Rajasthan

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) senior leader Surendra Jain delivered hate speech against Muslims at a Trishul Deeksha event. He peddled conspiracy theories and advocated violence. pic.twitter.com/xocnQfcdBy — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) April 19, 2023

On April 27, a video surfaced from Bhadsora, Rajasthan where hundreds of men were given trishuls and took an oath to protect Hindu religion.

Location: Bhadsora, Rajasthan

Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang members distribute trishuls (tridents) among Hindus to protect the nation and religion. pic.twitter.com/X7wS4gJVP5 — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) April 27, 2023

Related:

Hate speech spirals to a 7-day high, Muslims & Christians the target

“Protect religion, women and cows,” right wing groups tell the youth, hands them Trishuls

Police to closely monitor Ram Navami processions in Hyderabad and Mumbai

Rising Instances of Hate-speech, Hate Crimes in Rajasthan condemned: PWA, Delhi

The post Rajasthan sees upsurge in Trishul Deeskha in April appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Trishul distribution has become commonplace in right wing circles where hundreds and in some cases thousands of local youth are called for the event and indoctrinated into the extremist right wing ideology to keep weapons like the trishul at home and use it, as they put it, “responsibly, to protect Hindu religion, culture, women and cows.

Senior workers of either Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) or Bajrang Dal are present at such events to make vile speeches against Muslims calling them slurs like jihadis. Here’s a low down of Trishul Diksha events of the past month.

On February 28, VHP and Bajrang Dal distributed trishuls to over 130 young men in Vadodara, Gujarat. Viral Desai, of VHP Southern Gujarat, while speaking to the media said that the trishuls were distributed to Hindu men after  giving them complete information about it and what is the necessity of a trishul in Hindu homes. He said that  the young men were administered an oath to use the trishuls responsibly and to worship it at home and use it to protect Hindu society, women, cows and saints.

This is from #Vadodara, #Gujarat.#Hindutva group #BajrangDal distributes trishuls (tridents) among hundreds of #Hindu men.#HateSpeech #HateCrime pic.twitter.com/MwEqH8THMi

— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) February 28, 2023

On March 6, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Dinesh Bharti was speaking at a trishul distribution event in Sunderbani, Jammu where he cautioned all Hindus to keep Trishuls at home. He said, “For those jihadis there is no place in this country. They should leave Bharat  and this Hindustan is not theirs.” He then gave examples of gods wielding weapons like Maa Durga, Shiva, Hanuman and said that Hindu youth should also carry weapons. He then also veered towards preaching economic boycott of Muslims by saying, “if you want to buy clothes, food, stitch clothes, why don’t you go Hindu business”.

Location: Sunderbani, Jammu

Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Dinesh Bharti delivered a communal speech and called on every Hindu to keep weapons at home. He was speaking at Trishul (trident) distribution event. pic.twitter.com/2ybm0sogli — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 6, 2023

On March 12, at the Swami Narayan Temple of Himmatnagar in North Gujarat, more than 300 youths were present to accept trishuls from VHP and Bajrang Dal. As per Dainik Jagran’s report BJP MP Deep Singh Rathore (Sabarkantha constituency) was also present at the event. On March 16, amid resounding calls of “jai Shree Ram”, more than 750 Hindu youth were present where trishul were distributed by VHP, in Dhoraji, Gujarat

Location: Dhoraji, Gujarat

Bajrang Dal members distribute trishuls (tridents) among 750 Hindu youths. pic.twitter.com/kue3blr1Ll — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 16, 2023

The following day, in Dholpur, Rajasthan, an oath was administered by VHP to hundreds of youth to protect religion, culture, society and prosperity of Hindu nation. “I will use the Trishul to protect Hindu religion,” the crowd repeated.

Location: Dholpur, Rajasthan

Bajrang Dal members distribute trishuls (tridents) among hundreds of Hindu men and administered an oath to protect religion and Hindu nation. pic.twitter.com/OZKBVM1XyX — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 17, 2023

A similar oath was administered as can be seen  in the video that came out on March 21 from Jhalana Doongri, Rajasthan where Bajrang Dal distributed Trishul to hundreds of men.

Location: Jhalana Doongri, Rajasthan

Bajrang Dal members distribute trishuls (tridents) among Hindu youths and administered an oath to protect religion and the Hindu nation. pic.twitter.com/K89FeyxPHL — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 21, 2023

On March 24, in Kamrej, Surat; Una, Gir Somnath and Kadi, Mahesana, districts of Gujarat, more than a thousand youth were given the trishul and took an oath to protect Hindu religion while dancing on the roads holding saffron flags and dancing on “Jai Shree Ram” songs.

Location: Surat/Mehsana and Gir Somnath in Gujarat

Far-right Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members distributed Trishuls (tridents) among more than 2000 Hindu youths and administered an oath to “protect the nation and religion.” pic.twitter.com/MrXM8G34u1 — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 24, 2023

Location: Una, Gujarat

Far-right Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members distributed Trishuls (tridents) among hundreds of Hindu youths and swore to convert India into a Hindu nation. A VHP leader also indulged in anti-Muslim dog whistle. pic.twitter.com/URDEIRbL9u — HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 28, 2023

Related:

‘Christians enemy no 1‘,’ keep arms at home’: Right wing vigilantes spreading hate and fear in rural Rajasthan Weaponsing religious processions, demolishing minority homes, a nadir in breakdown of rule of law: Report Rising Instances of Hate-speech, Hate Crimes in Rajasthan condemned: PWA, Delhi ‘Trishul Diksha’ in poll bound Rajasthan, a matter of grave concern

The post “Protect religion, women and cows,” right wing groups tell the youth, hands them Trishuls appeared first on SabrangIndia.

It’s been about 40 days into this year and there have been at least 7 reported events of ‘Trishul diksha’ or trident distribution in various parts of the country. The significance of the Trishul for right wing fringe groups is that it has religious significance, it allows them to arm people to incite violence and it is sort of a loophole that they have circumvented. The trishuls that they distribute are not the long handle ones that we often see wielded by deities but are actually, one centimetre smaller than the prohibited weapons; which saves them from being booked for any offence under the Arms Act.

This trishul diksha is accompanied with hate speech from the speakers at the events and many a times the speakers are either known hate offenders or prominent figures of the ruling party such as MPs or MLAs or State heads of the party. Many times, an oath to establish ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is also administered to those present.

Here is a run down of some of the trishul distribution events that have been organized this year, till date

On February 5 in Vidyadhar, Jaipur Bajrang Dal distributed trishuls among 1,110 young Hindu men and released a drone shot video of the men wielding those trishuls

This is from #Vidyadhar, #Jaipur, #Rajasthan.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (#VHP) & #BajrangDal distributed trishuls (tridents) among 1100 young #Hindu men and called for turning India into a #HinduRashtra.#HateSpeech pic.twitter.com/ELdvVH68AB

— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) February 7, 2023

At another event in Jaipur, a video surfaced on February 5 of VHP and Bajrang Dal administering an oath with around 800 men wielding trishuls in their hands

This is from #Jaipur, #Rajasthan.#Hindutva groups #BajrangDal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (#VHP) distributed trishuls (tridents) among 800 people and administered an to turn India into a #HinduRashtra.#HateSpeech #ViralVideo pic.twitter.com/nmCpAV30wP

— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) February 5, 2023

A day prior to that Vishwa Hindu Parishad  (VHP) and Bajrang Dal while celebrating Hindu Sammelan, distributed trishuls among hindu men Satish Mahana, the current Speaker of the UP Legislative Assembly was the main speaker at the event. This was held in Kanpur Nagar in Uttar Pradesh in the presence of the police.

Location: Kanpur Nagar, Uttar Pradesh

Vishwa Hindu Parishad & Bajrang Dal distributed trishuls (tridents) among hundreds of people and called for turning India into a Hindu Rashtra.

Satish Mahana, the current Speaker of the UP Legislative Assembly was main speaker at the event. pic.twitter.com/Vh6E3Jgahp

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) February 4, 2023

In January, RSS Pracharak, Ishwar Lal was spewing venom at a Trishul Deeksha event, held in Lohwat, Rajasthan. Through this speech, Lal had dehumanised Muslims, made misleading and provocative statements, and also made unlawful and provocative calls for converting 30,000 mosques into temples, all with the aim of pushing the exclusionary agenda of Hindutva outfits. The details of the  speech may be read here.

Location: Lohawat, Rajasthan
Event: Trishul Deeksha
Organizer: Vishwa Hindu Parishad & Bajrang Dal

RSS Pracharak & VHP Sangathan Mantri Ishwar Lal delivers hate speech; dehumanizes Muslims, calls for converting 30,000 mosques into temples & boycott of Halal products. pic.twitter.com/4puOYifpMp

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) January 21, 2023

In Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, on January 10, VHP  administered an oath among men to use the trishuls distributed at the event to protect Hindu women as well as the religion.

This is from #Shivpuri, #MadhyaPradesh (January 10, 2023).

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (#VHP) distributed #Trishul‘s (tridents) among 150 young men and administered an oath to use them to protect the #Hindu women and religion.#Hinduva #HateSpeech #ViralVideo pic.twitter.com/kh67Qjuf8I

— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) January 20, 2023

In Sirohi, Rajasthan at Shri Shri Maha Mandaleshwar Swami Kushalgiriji Maharaj’s event, trishuls were distributed amongst thousands in the crowd. In the video it appears that thousands of people, men and women, were attending the event.

This is from #Sirohi, #Rajasthan.

Trishuls (tridents) distributed at Shri Shri 1008 Maha Mandaleshwar Swami Kushalgiriji Maharaj’s event in Sirohi.#Hindutva #HateSpeech #ViralVideo pic.twitter.com/dgzL0Jt5vj

— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) January 20, 2023

IN early January, Praving Togadia, while speaking to the media, in Gaddarpur, Uttarakhand said that he wishes to arm 2 crore youth with trishuls. In May last year, CJP had complained to the National Commission for Minorities against Togadia as he had encouraged youth, at a trishul diksha event in Assam, to bear arms to deport “Bangladeshi Muslims”

Location: Gadarpur, Uttarakhand

Hindutva leader Pravin Togadia announces distribution of Trishuls (tridents) among 20 million (2 crore) Hindus. pic.twitter.com/hyRT50W0uB

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) January 12, 2023

A video surfaced on January 2, from Shastri Nagar in Jaipur Rajasthan where Bajrang Dal members were seen administering an oath to hundreds of men, wielding trishuls. They took an oath to protect Hindus, their culture and their religion. They also vowed to use the Trishul to protect Hindu religion.

This is from #ShastriNagar, #Jaipur, #Rajasthan.

Leaders of the far-right extremist #Hindutva group #BajrangDal distributed #Trishuls (tridents) among hundreds of locals & made them take a public oath to use them to protect the religion and #HinduNation (#HinduRashtra). pic.twitter.com/09Qk0Cqzzk

— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) January 2, 2023

What is happening in Rajasthan, governed by the Congress party with Ashok Gehlot at the helm, seems to be a repeat of 2001 and 2003. The November 2001 edition of Communalism Combat reported about the many trishul deeksha events in Rajasthan, “Of immediate concern is the systematic distribution of a few hundred thousand ‘trishuls’ — cleverly disguised Rampuri knives, six–eight inches long and sharp enough to kill —, delivering the lethal instrument to ‘every Hindu household’ in villages where the Trishul Diksha Samaroh is conducted. As we go to press, over seven districts in Rajasthan have had active ‘trishul’ distribution programmes. Raipur, Kota, Jaipur and Asind are only some of the places around which the campaign was being carried out. Most others have also been covered in this brazen attempt to militarise society in the garb of a religious programme”.

At that time, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had revealed that nearly 40 lakh trishuls had been distributed nationwide by then.

Similar Trishul Diksha events were held across Rajasthan in early 2003, in the run up to assembly elections in the state. Rajasthan is set to go to polls at the end of this year. In April 2003, the Rajasthan government had issued a notification prohibiting people from distributing, acquiring, possessing or carrying double or multi-bladed sharp pointed weapons.

It is probably time to remind the Ashok Gehlot government of its own notification that it seems to have forgotten. The fact that most of these trishul distribution events have been reported in Congress governed and poll bound Rajasthan is a matter of grave concern. It  shows  the growing influence of prominent right wing organizations and their ideology deeply seeping into a communally harmonious state and this also displays the inaction on the part of the ruling government under Gehlot which is allowing such extremist ideology to be disseminated.

Related:

PRELUDE TO THE CARNAGE

CJP MOVES NCM OVER PRAVIN TOGADIA’S COMMUNAL OATH AT TRISHUL DIKSHA EVENT

HATE WATCH: ISHWAR LAL, RSS PRACHARAK DELIVERS ANTI-MINORITY HATE SPEECH, AGAIN

The post ‘Trishul Diksha’ in poll bound Rajasthan, a matter of grave concern appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In what appears to be a clear-cut exercise to create an atmosphere of confrontation and intimidation the RSS offshoot, the Bajrang Dal has stated training its cadres in the use of rifles, swords and lathis ostensibly to ‘'protect Hindus from non-brothers'  A camp was recently organised in Ayodhya. Similar camps would be held till June 5 in Sultanpur, Gorakhpur, Pilibhit, Noida and Fatehpur. Bajrang Dal is the youth wing of Vishva Hindu Parishad, an off shoot of the RSS and has faced allegations of rioting and violence against the minorities.

This video, frightening in its depiction, shows the efforts that continue unchecked in Uttar Pradesh (UP). UP is set for state elections early next year and this is a time tested technique of the RSS-led Bharatiya Janata Party to sharply polarise the state polity on communal lines. This is a 10 minute long video by India TV (below)

.

Efforts of the sangh parivar with the unabashed and unashamed espousal of the anti-constitutional vision of a Hindu Rashtra are backed by violent and intimidatory training of cadres, historically. In the period that preceded the genocidal pogrom in Gujarat, between years 2000-2002, while the NDA I government was in power a series of similar efforts to arm youth from the Hindu community with a perceived  sense of ‘threat; from the ‘outsider’ were afoot. These had been consistently monitored by us in Communalism Combat (CC) and nationwide campaigns launched to the authorities to put a stop to this. Sabrangindia appeals to its wide readership to write to the authorities in Uttar Pradesh and nationally to put a stop to these brazen efforts at furthering the divide between communities.
 
In response to the efforts to incite violence, CC had reported in February 2000 how the then Left Front government had, through an ordinance brought into force on January 21, imposed strict restrictions on physical training of the kind taught in RSS-run shakhas throughout the country.
 
The ordinance had made it mandatory for organisations giving martial arts training to obtain a licence. It also empowers police officers to inspect training centres. Educational institutions owned or controlled by the government, or affiliated to any university in the state as part of the curriculum and club or gymnasiums recognized by the Kerala Sports Council and the general education department are exempt from the provisions of the ordinance. Contravention of the provisions has been made a cognizable and non-bailable offence. The RSS had been miffed at these efforts and had the government’s move as directed against its activities and plans to approach the court.
 
In 2001, CC had carried an article, Hindutva Targets the Hinterland   we had reported in how, with the administration and the police as mute witness, in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Bajrang Dal and the VHP are actively engaged in yet another bloody build–up to their campaign for the Ram mandir in Ayodhya. It could be the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, ably assisted by their brethren of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat — the laboratory for a Hindu Rashtra. Or the Shiv Sena, often supported by members of the ruling Congress and NCP combine in rural Maharashtra. In the last two months, there have been a series of attacks on Muslims, their homes, businesses and places of worship, in small villages or qasbahs (small towns) where they are numerically small. This has been happening in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. Attacks on Christian nuns and priests continue, too, with precious little protection to them from the law and order machinery.

Hate speech is a strong component of this mobilisation. Throughout the NDA I regime, hate pamphlets and hate speeches had vitiated the public atmosphere. Under NDA II led by Modi even Ministers and Members of Parliament belonging to the ruling dispensation have themselves indulged in hate speech.

In 2001, October we had reported that literature being distributed by the Maharashtra unit of the VHP in far flung villages and districts indicates a systematic religious mobilization of local communities around the issue of the commencement of Ram mandir construction by the VHP on March 12 (Maha Shivratri day), 2002. A series of preparatory jalabhisheks and other semi–religious functions are also being planned to mobilize cadres for the event. Meanwhile, the ban on SIMI following terrorist attacks on America and the crude demonisation of the Muslim minority ("All Muslims are not jehadis but all jehadis are Muslims"— MG Vaidya, RSS spokesman), are providing a tailor–made situation for the actions to get viewed in a completely twisted manner.

The editorial by CC in November 2001 directly addressed the issue of  ‘Militarising Hindu Society' “What then does one make of the Bajrang Dal’s countrywide Trishul Diksha Samarohs in the course of which, according to Rajasthan’s chief minister, Ashok Gehlot, over 40 lakh Hindus have already been gifted with trishuls in recent months? Has the Bajrang Dal launched a campaign to turn all Hindus into devout sadhus? Given the track record of this extremist outfit, given its arms training camps across the country in the last two years, and given recent calls by some from the sangh parivar to Hindus to prepare to ‘defend’ themselves, religiosity is the least plausible motive driving the current campaign. The most incriminating aspect of the Bajrang Dal’s trishul is that it looks nothing like what one associates with sadhus — if anything, as Congress leaders and police officials point out, they are nothing but Rampuri knives that can kill, specially crafted to look like a religious symbol.

Indian Constitution: Private militias arming themselves represent a threat to law and order and the peace and tranquility that the State is bound to preserve. 
The Bombay Police Act is similarly stringent on the question of possession of arms by citizens.
Section 19, Arms Act : Police are empowered to demand production of a license
Section 20, Arms Act: Police can arrest persons conveying arms etc under suspicious circumstances
Section 20, Arms Act: Police can confiscate unlicensed arms in possession of any person

Without a shred of doubt, the Bajrang Dal is engaged a national programme to ‘militarise’ Hindus. If this should shock all peace–loving Indians, what is even more shocking is the fact that the insidious game plan has not created a national uproar. While drawing attention to this highly disturbing trend, our cover story this month also highlights what appears to be an obvious attempt on the part of the sangh parivar to replicate its highly effective experiment of communalising BJP–ruled Gujarat in neighbouring Rajasthan, a state presently under Congress rule but a traditional Jana Sangh/BJP bastion. It is not insignificant that apart from the large–scale distribution of ‘trishuls’ and incendiary pamphlets now banned by the state government, as also the VHP’s jalabhishek programme, there appears to be a pre–mediated plan at work to destroy mazaars and dargahs which for long have been the common meeting ground for Hindus, Muslims and people from other religions, too.”

At the time over seven districts in Rajasthan have had active ‘trishul’ distribution programmes. Raipur, Kotda, Jaipur and Asind are only some of the places around which the campaign was being carried out. Most others have also been covered in this brazen attempt to militarise society in the garb of a religious programme. The campaign raises serious ethical and legal questions, especially as it is accompanied by clever rhetoric, Hindus being exhorted through speeches and incendiary pamphlets to beware of the danger ahead and to arm themselves. In short, prepare for violence. (CC, July 2000 and July 2001) At the rime too we had run a campaign against this Stop the ‘Talibanisation’ of India!

Sushobha Barve had then written in CC “Over the past two years, major national dailies have frequently reported, with photographs, brazen at  tempts by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal (BD) to form private Hindu armies. Arms training camps have been organised by them  in different parts of the country, where young men and women are trained in the use of guns as well as trishuls, sword and other martial arts. 
Under the Indian Constitution, private militias arming themselves represent a threat to law and order and the peace and tranquility that the State is bound to preserve. 
The Arms Act, 1959 expressly prohibits the possession of arms by private parties without license. The only exception made is for security agencies. The possession of a license before a firearm is owned is a legal requirement. Such licenses are given or granted only if there is reasonable apprehension of aggression. 

The Bombay Police Act is similarly stringent on the question of possession of arms by citizens. The police are empowered to demand production of a license (section 19 of the Arms Act), arrest persons conveying arms etc under suspicious circumstances (section 20), confiscation of arms etc on possession of unlicensed arms (section 20).

In the section on fundamental rights, the Indian Constitution guarantees the freedom of expression, faith, belief and worship (Article 25) and equality before the law (Article 14). Taken together, these articles of the Indian Constitution guarantee the Indian State’s secular and democratic nature.

By their numerous statements and actions, the VHP, Bajrang Dal, RSS and the Shiv Sena are guilty of violating the Indian Constitution, the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code. Are these criminal antecedents not ground enough to impel the Indian state into putting an immediate stop to these blatantly illegal and provocative camps, seizing the illegally held arms, and if necessary, arresting the chief agent provocateurs — the leaders of the Bajrang Dal, VHP and the Shiv Sena? 

By their statements and actions, the criminal antecedents of the VHP, Bajrang Dal, RSS and the Shiv Sena indict them for being violators of both the Indian Constitution, the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code. Are these criminal antecedents and their defiance of the Arms Act not ground enough to impel the Indian state to put an immediate stop to these blatantly illegal and provocative camps, seize the arms that they have stored and if necessary, arrest the chief agent provocateurs, the leaders of the SS, BD and VHP? 

So far, only the CPI(M) and the Congress have demanded a curb on these activities. Last year, through an ordinance enacted on January 21, 2000, the Left Front government in Kerala had imposed strict restrictions on the kind of martial training imparted to shakha goers at RSS shakhas all over the country. The ordinance had made compulsory any organisation that wants to give martial arts training, the acquisition of a license. It also empowers police to inspect such training centres. (CC February 2000).  
 
A sinister re-run of this hate-filled violent campaign seems to be afoot in Uttar Pradesh right now. After the state elections in Assam it appears clear that a sharply aggressive and majoritarian agenda is what the Sangh-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will resort to ahead of the state elections next year and right until 2019. The challenges to every right thinking citizen, committed to the rule of law and peace and harmony between citizens are great. Will Indians rise to the occasion and take on, up front this politics of division and hatred?

References:
1. BJP's Draupadi Poster in UP Sends Ominous Signals
2. Can a Leopard Change His Spots: BJP’s History of Hate Mongering at the Polls 
 

Photographs of the Violent Trainings:

Images Courtesy: Times of India, ANI, India Today

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