FIR filed against Sudarshan News editor over ‘communal speech’
Editor Chavhanke allegedly referred to how certain parts of the state were “beginning to look like Pakistan” and no one was taking any action.
3 min read
Sudarshan TV Editor-in-Chief Suresh Chavhanke (File photo) An FIR was registered against Sudarshan News editor Suresh Chavhanke on Thursday for allegedly giving a “communal speech” in Sangamner on June 6, following which there was violence in the area, leading to the arrest of 17 persons.
According to the FIR, at least two persons were injured and five vehicles were vandalised in the violence that followed a rally organised by the Sakal Hindu Samaj, where Chavhanke was one of the speakers. In addition to Chavhanke, two other speakers affiliated to Bajrang Dal have also been booked.
As per the FIR registered then at the Sangamner city police station in Ahmednagar based on a complaint by a policeman, the rally was held between 9.45 am and 12.45 pm, and was attended by around 18,000 people. It was held after an alleged incident on May 25, where a few people sustained minor injuries.
As per the FIR, Chavhanke referred to a WhatsApp screenshot that he claimed to have received where a local Muslim man was complaining to another local about having invited Chavhanke and “making a local issue international”. Chavhanke allegedly referred to how certain parts of the state were “beginning to look like Pakistan” and no one was taking any action.
He further mentioned about “love jihad”, adding that Muslim women should convert to Hindusim and spell out its advantages. He said that before giving the speech, he was warned that an FIR could be registered against him. He went on to say that there were 1,826 FIRs registered against him and that “even Dawood (Ibrahim) does not have as many FIR’s against him”.
In January this year, the Supreme Court had pulled up the Delhi police in a hate speech case against Chavhanke where an FIR was registered but no chargesheet was filed even eight months later.
Chavhanke faces at least two more cases in Maharahtra related to hate speeches at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in the state. He has not been arrested in any of the cases.An officer said that based on the video recording of the speeches, an FIR under section 153 (A) (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 34 (common intention) and 506(II) (public mischief at a place of worship) was registered against Chavhanke and Bajrang Dal members Yogesh Suryavanshi and Vishal Vakchaure.
You May Like
Photos
