Outrage over Hindutva leader Gaurav Singh Rajput’s hate speech against Muslims

NEW DELHI: A hate speech against Muslims by Hindutva leader Gaurav Singh Rajput is being strongly condemned. In the speech, he called for India to be made “Mulla-free” by every means, including genocide.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the speech was made at a public gathering in Hastinapur, in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh.

In a video circulating on social media, Gaurav Singh Rajput is seen appealing for the genocide of Muslims and for India to be made “Mulla-free” by every possible means. The statement has been widely condemned.

“Mulla” is a derogatory term often used in hate speech against Muslims. In the video, Rajput is seen addressing the crowd and making clear calls for violence and for the exclusion of Muslims from the population.

Legal provisions and demand by civil society

The statement prima facie constitutes offences punishable under Sections 196, 197, 299 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These sections deal with matters such as promoting enmity between groups, hurting religious sentiments and inciting violence.

Civil society organisations said they had sent the video to the Uttar Pradesh Police and the National Commission for Minorities. They demanded that an FIR be registered and action be taken in line with the Supreme Court’s directions on hate speech.

Rajput previously embroiled in controversies

Rajput has been involved in controversies before. He is often active on social media as Gaurav Rajput Chambal and presents his content under the label of Sanatan nationalism. His online activities include several incidents of hate speech.

Media monitoring and fact-checking organisations had earlier criticised his videos. These videos contained highly derogatory and indecent remarks against the Holy Quran and Hazrat Muhammad. According to critics, no action has been taken against him so far despite several complaints.

Human rights activists said the latest speech in Hastinapur was part of a trend of hateful statements that hate speech watchdogs have been pointing out. According to them, there has been a marked increase in derogatory terms such as “Mulla” and in calls for economic and social boycott.

By Sunday evening, Meerut Police had not issued any official statement on whether an FIR had been registered against Rajput.