FIR lodged over ‘hate’ speeches in Haridwar

BJP refuses to be drawn into row, says question organisers.

Dehradun: An FIR has been lodged against Jitendra Narayan Tyagi and others in connection with alleged hate speeches delivered at a Dharma Sansad in Haridwar to incite violence against the minorities, police said on Friday.

The BJP on Friday refused be be drawn into the row over “hate speeches” saying questions about them should be directed to those behind the event.

Tyagi, who changed his name from Waseem Rizvi after converting to Hinduism earlier this month, and other speakers at last week’s event have been accused of making extremely provocative speeches and some video clips of it are doing the rounds on social media.

Haridwar Kotwali Police station SHO Rakinder Singh said the FIR was registered on Thursday under IPC Section section 153A -- promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language -- and the matter is under investigation.

The FIR has been registered on the basis of a complaint by a resident of Jwalapur area in Haridwar. Asked about the video clips being shared on social media, the official said the police is not in possession of any footage of the event yet.

A senior TMC leader had demanded on Thursday immediate action against the organisers and speakers of the event held at Ved Niketan Dham in Haridwar for three days last week. — Agencies