Activists move court against Ghaziabad ‘Dharam Sansad’

Activist Aruna Roy, former NCW member Syeda Hameed and others on Monday moved the Supreme Court against a ‘Dharam Sansad’ being organised in Ghaziabad from December 17 to 21 by Yati Narsinghanand, who has faced allegations of making communal statements against Muslims.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan mentioned the petition before a Bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna and sought urgent hearing of the matter. The Bench, however, pointed out to Bhushan that the matter was already pending and he should follow the procedure of sending an email request for urgent listing of matters.

Alleging violation of the top court’s 2022 directions to the authorities to lodge suo motu cases of hate speech, the petitioners sought contempt of court action against the UP Police for allowing the event.

They alleged that the advertisements for the ‘Dharam Sansad’ included hate speeches against Muslims and incited violence against them. The Ghaziabad district administration and the UP Police have failed to act as per the directions issued by the SC to take suo motu action against hate speeches, they alleged.

The 2021 ‘Dharam Sansad’ by Narsinghanand had made headlines for alleged communal comments and hate speeches and he was arrested, but later released on bail.