Hindu Priest’s Islamophobic Call for Violence Sparks Outrage in India

Controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand’s recent provocative remarks, urging Hindus to form armed groups like ISIS, have raised alarms over growing Islamophobia and hate speech in India.

Yati Narsinghanand, a notorious figure known for his Islamophobic rhetoric, has once again stirred controversy with his call to the Hindu community to take up arms against Muslims in India. In a viral video message from his temple in Dasna, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, the Hindutva preacher urged Hindus to defend their religion and families by forming armed groups, likening them to terrorist organizations like ISIS.

Narsinghanand’s comments, which have sparked outrage, included a call for Hindus to form their own organization similar to ISIS in order to protect their existence. “Take up arms. If needed, form your own organisation, like the Muslims do, like ISIS,” he said in the video. He further claimed that Hindus would not see any change in their situation unless they acted in self-defense through violence.

The video has gone viral, raising serious concerns over communal tensions in India. The priest also claimed that he planned to meet with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to discuss obtaining weapons for the Hindu community.

Political and religious leaders, especially from the Muslim community, have condemned Narsinghanand’s remarks. Shaukat Ali, the state president of All India Majlis-e Ittehadul Muslimeen, pointed out the lack of action from the Uttar Pradesh Police, despite Narsinghanand’s repeated inflammatory comments. He questioned why the police had failed to act against the priest, despite his consistent incitement of violence against Muslims. “This person regularly instigates the Hindu community against Muslims, provokes them to take up arms, talks of forming a terrorist organisation like ISIS, yet why is no action taken against him?” Ali asked.

Narsinghanand’s past remarks have led to widespread protests and demands for action. However, despite calls from activists and political leaders for stringent measures, the priest has faced minimal legal consequences, with only a lenient FIR (First Information Report) being registered against him in the past. His close proximity to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also raised concerns about the lack of accountability and the potential political backing he enjoys.

Narsinghanand’s latest comments have further exacerbated tensions in an already polarized atmosphere in India, leading many to question the role of the state in addressing hate speech and preventing communal violence.