Muslims Will Not Be Allowed to Worship in UP: Yogi Adityanath

The Law and Policy Research Institute (LPRI), a human rights advocacy group based in Bengaluru, has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The complaint accuses Adityanath of delivering inflammatory speeches targeting the Muslim community during an election rally in Palghar, Maharashtra.

LPRI has called for a thorough investigation and appropriate action against the Chief Minister. The organization stressed the need for assurances that such communal rhetoric would not be repeated, underscoring the detrimental impact of Adityanath’s remarks on India’s secular fabric and communal harmony.

During the rally, Adityanath made statements such as, “Now, no one dares to offer namaz on the roads of UP. The mosques have removed their mikes. In the next five years, people will forget about screams (azaan) from mosques.” These comments, according to LPRI, are a blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA), and several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

In its complaint, LPRI highlighted specific violations including appealing to communal feelings for votes, criticizing opponents beyond the scope of policies and programs, and engaging in corrupt practices. The group argued that Adityanath’s speech contravened provisions of the RPA, which explicitly prohibit promoting enmity or hatred between different classes on religious grounds.

LPRI’s statement emphasized the unlawful nature of Adityanath’s remarks, warning that such rhetoric has the potential to incite communal discord and disturb public peace. The organization pointed out that these words could exacerbate existing tensions and lead to violence, thereby undermining the principles of secularism and democracy enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

The complaint filed by LPRI is part of a broader effort by the organization to hold political figures accountable for hate speech and violations of election laws. The group has a history of monitoring and reporting such incidents, reflecting its commitment to safeguarding communal harmony and upholding the rule of law.

To conclude, the complaint against Yogi Adityanath by the Law and Policy Research Institute highlights the critical role of civil society organizations in promoting accountability and protecting human rights. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining communal harmony in India’s diverse society and the importance of vigilance against inflammatory rhetoric in the political arena.