The protests also spread across different areas of Uttar Pradesh Including the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)-on Monday demanding that police arrest and give severe punishment to controversy-ridden priest Yati Narsinghanand, who had made derogatory comments against the Prophet Muhammad.

State police arrested 13 people for stone-pelting during an agitated protest at Saharanpur on Sunday and four for violence outside the Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad led by Narsinghanand.

Protests Erupt Across Various Cities

In Saharanpur, stone pelting occurred at the Sheikhpura Qadeem police outpost during violent protests on Sunday, while 13 were detained. Further, four others were detained in connection with Friday’s violence near the Dasna Devi temple over controversial statements by Narsinghanand. Abhimanyu Manglik, SP (City), confirmed the arrests of 13 accused and said that efforts are on to nab others. The unrest still prevailing in the district, District Magistrate Manish Bansal reassured that the situation in the village is now peaceful and normal.

Jamiat Ulema Demand Action

Lok Sabha MP Ruchi Veera jumped into the fray and led a protest in the Moradabad city. She presented a memorandum addressed to the President insisting that strict action be taken against Narsinghanand. She asked why the state’s “bulldozer justice” was not meted out to Narsinghanand despite the government’s zero-tolerance policy. She also requested the public to remain calm and not take the law in their hands as India has a great “Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb” and brotherhood is the way forward.

In Bahraich, also, a representative delegation led by Quari Juber, president of the district unit of Jamiat Ulema, submitted a memorandum seeking harsher judicial action. The protesters said charges filed against him under Section 302 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were not enough and that he deserved stronger punishment for the controversial priest.

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Peaceful Protests In AMU

Hundreds of students of AMU staged a peaceful procession in the campus demanding the immediate arrest of Narsinghanand. They sent a memorandum to district officials, addressing the President, begging for immediate legal action against the priest for inciting communal tensions. The memorandum talks about how the law enforcement authorities did not do anything, which let Narsinghanand continue his hate speech operations. Students also addressed a separate plea to the Chief Justice of India, asking him to take cognizance.

Violence and Arrests In Other States

The protests were not limited to AMU and Saharanpur. Protests spilled over to Meerut’s Mundali locality where protesters, including kids, bore sticks and chanted slogans. Unrest ensued and the police had to intervene in order to disperse the protesting crowd. A video clip of the incident was widely circulated which led to the filing of an FIR against 30 named individuals and 100-150 unidentified persons. Scores of arrests have taken place so far in relation to the violence.

However, Hindu organization people started marching in support of Narsinghanand. They claimed that the protesters misrepresented this man’s utterances and demanded action against them.

Police Action And Whistle-Blowing

Observing increasing tensions, several FIRs have been lodged against Narsinghanand; the investigating agencies are probing the incidents actively. In Ghaziabad, ACP Lipi Nagaich confirmed that four more persons have been arrested in the connection of violence at Dasna Devi temple. Those arrested had confessed to pelting stones during the disturbances. Six persons were previously arrested for the same incident.

The police are reportedly using video evidence to identify the identities of others who were involved in the violence. More arrests are expected. The authorities have been said to give assurances in line with efforts to maintain peace and order.