• Source:JND
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Yati Narsinghanand, a controversial priest from Ghaziabad, has been charged with hate speech following alleged derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad. The issue has ignited massive protests in the city and across several states.

Narsinghanand associates claimed that the former has been detained by Ghaziabad police, though officials have yet to confirm the development.

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After videos of his remarks began circulating online, a crowd gathered outside the Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad on Friday night. Police dispersed the crowd and security around the temple has been heightened.

Complaints have been filed against Narsinghanand in multiple states. In Hyderabad, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi met with Police Commissioner C V Anand on Saturday, urging authorities to take action against the priest.

Subsequently, an FIR was lodged against Narsinghanand by Telangana police, while another was registered in Amravati, Maharashtra. Violent protests broke out in Amravati on Friday night, resulting in injuries to 21 police officers and the damage of 10 police vehicles in a bout of stone-pelting.

Meanwhile, adding fuel to the ongoing stir, BJP MLA Nand Kishor Gurjar said Narsinghanand’s temple was attacked by some miscreants on Friday and those behind the attack should be ‘shot in encounter.’ However, the Police have denied any such attack on the temple.

“A few youths were creating a ruckus outside the temple premises on Friday night. The temple organisation informed the local SHO and the situation was brought under control,” Indian Express quoted Ghaziabad DCP Surendra Nath Tiwari as saying.

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Notably, Yati Narsinghanand was arrested in December 2021 for his ‘hate speech’ during a Dharam Sansad in Haridwar.