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Journalism of Courage
This is an archive article published on March 29, 2024
BJP MLA T Raja Singh booked for Mira road hate speech
This comes a week after a petition was filed in the Bombay High Court seeking registration of an offence against Singh, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane and legislator Geeta Jain from Mira road for allegedly delivering hate speeches.
Singh was denied police permission for a rally on Mira Road, where communal clashes took place in January, but he was later permitted for it by Bombay HC on grounds that he would not indulge in any hate speech. (File photo)
THE MIRA Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) police on Wednesday registered an FIR against Telangana BJP leader T Raja Singh for allegedly making a hate speech on Mira Road on February 25. An officer said that in addition to Singh, organiser of the event Naresh Nile has also been named as an accused in the case.
This comes a week after a petition was filed in the Bombay High Court seeking registration of an offence against Singh, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane and legislator Geeta Jain from Mira road for allegedly delivering hate speeches.
A senior officer from MBVV police said, “About two days ago, we registered an FIR against Raja Singh for making a hate speech.” When asked about the month-long delay, the official said, “We had recorded the speech. After going through it we sought legal opinion, as per which an offence was made out. We then registered an FIR.”
The officer said the FIR was registered under sections 153(A) and 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code that deals with creating divisions among communities and hurting their sentiments. The officer said they will soon send notices to the two accused persons.
Singh was denied police permission for a rally on Mira Road, where communal clashes took place in January, but he was later permitted for it by Bombay HC on grounds that he would not indulge in any hate speech. The Telangana MLA had also given a written undertaking to the zonal DCP that he would not indulge in hate speech.
On February 25, a few thousand people, primarily youngsters, attended the rally organised by the Sakal Hindu Samaj. Addressing the audience from the top of an open truck, Singh reportedly spoke for over 40 minutes about Chhatrapati Shivaji, during which he allegedly used derogatory words for the Muslim community. He also asked people to vow to work for a Hindu Rashtra, and fight against jihad, conversion and cow slaughter.
He reportedly urged Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to “liberate” Shivaji’s forts from the mosques he claimed were built there illegally. Mira Road BJP MLA Geeta Jain also reportedly addressed the rally, and spoke about how Hindu unity had shown them their place.
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Incidentally, Singh on Thursday was placed under house arrest in Hyderabad after he planned to visit Medipally that recently witnessed communal tension.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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