• Source:JND
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Hundreds of protesters gathered near the Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad on Sunday, claiming to have organised a mahapanchayat despite prohibitory orders and a strong police presence. Law enforcement officials reiterated that Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanihkta (BNSS) remains in effect, warning that action would be taken against anyone who defied these orders.

The mahapanchayat, organised by the Dasna Devi Temple Committee, was aimed to support the temple's head priest Mahant Yati Narsinghanand following his previous hate speech against Prophet Muhammad, which has fueled ongoing tensions in the area. Despite police efforts to prevent the assembly, tensions escalated into scuffles as protesters attempted to breach barricades, prompting officers to use mild force to disperse the crowd.

At 10 am, supporters of Yati Narsinghanand and local Hindu organisations attempted to gather at the temple, drawing the attention of police who had deployed personnel across various routes to stop the assembly. Some attendees tried accessing the site via side streets, but were met with police barricades. 

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Additional Commissioner Dinesh Kumar P stated that law enforcement had previously warned that such gatherings could disrupt public order. Police had already initiated actions against individuals inciting the mahapanchayat, resulting in over 50 arrests, particularly those coordinating through social media.

During the event, BJP MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar called for the arrest of those attacking Hindu dignity under the National Security Act (NSA). He demanded the expulsion of "10 crore Rohingya and Bangladeshi" immigrants from India, alleging that political parties had settled them in Delhi for electoral gain. 

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Gurjar further urged the establishment of fast-track courts for those attacking temples and Hindu identity, highlighting the need for stringent laws to ensure capital punishment for such offences. He warned that society would not retreat from its position following discussions with authorities.