NEW DELHI: Indian police have registered two cases against a Hindu priest for blasphemous remarks against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Delhi Police Saturday registered an FIR against Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, head priest of Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad, for hurting religious sentiments with his remarks during a press conference.
The FIR has been lodged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, residence, language etc) and 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).
The case was registered after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member of the legislative assembly, Amanatullah Khan, filed a police complaint against him.
The complaint said Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati “with all his knowledge and intention, has hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslim community, not only in India but all over the world who love and idolise Prophet Muhammad (PBUH.)”
All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the comments. “Insulting Prophet (SAW) [peace and blessing be upon him] is unacceptable. Can these criminals acting as religious teachers get over their unnatural fixation with Islam? For something that you do not like, you do spend a lot of time on it. I’m sure there’s enough in your own belief system that you can discuss,” tweeted Owaisi.
Social media users have demanded immediate action for the comments.
