Lucknow: A hatemonger from Uttar Pradesh, who threatened Muslim women with rape, has been arrested. The police caught Bajrang Muni Das, the head of Maharshi Shri Lakshman Das Udasin Ashram in Khairabad, from Sitapur, 100 km from state capital Lucknow. The arrest comes 11 days after he made his shocking threats at a religious procession in presence of the police.
A two-minute video of his speech on April 2, where he is purportedly heard making rape threats, had gone viral last Friday, drawing sharp comments even from the National Commission of Women.
The Commission had sought his arrest, saying the police cannot be mute spectators to such comments.
Thereafter, the First Information Report against him was filed. Bajrang Muni Das has been booked under Indian Penal Code sections related to making hate speech, making derogatory statements and sexual harassment.
Hours after the case was registered, a video surfaced on social media where Bajrang Muni is heard apologising. "My statement has been presented in a wrong way. I seek unconditional apology for the same," he said.
Over the last months, there have been a series of outrageous hate speeches, including the one in Haridwar, where open calls to take up arms against Muslims and commit genocide were issued.
Action was taken after five former chiefs of staff of the armed forces and over a hundred other people including bureaucrats and prominent citizens, wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the "open call of genocide of Indian Muslims," calling upon them to protect the integrity and security of our country.
The prime accused in the case, Yati Narsinghanand -- out on bail more than a month ago -- has delivered another hate speech in Delhi, where he reiterated the call for use of weapons against Muslims.
Today the Supreme Court, which is hearing petitions seeking investigation and action in hate speech cases, asked the Uttarakhand government to file a status report by April 22.
Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said an event similar to Haridwar will be held in Himachal Pradesh on April 17.