A Hindu religious leader has been booked for an inflammatory speech derogating Mahatma Gandhi at a two-day long "Dharam Sansad" organised in the Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh's capital city on Saturday, 25 December.
In purported videos of the event that have been circulated on social media, religious leader 'Sant' Kalicharan can be heard saying:
“They (minorities) seized power through politics here. And the great **** Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi led us to this ruin. Salutations to Godse ji that he killed that ****.”
"See, doing operations is necessary. For these pimples and boils. Otherwise, they turn into cancer. I'm not asking you to do riots..." Kalicharan can be further heard saying in the video.
A case has been registered against Kalicharan by the Chhattisgarh Police on complaints of Congress leaders.
Dharam Sansad Attended by Congress MLA, BJP Leader
The Dharam Sansad event, where the contentious remarks were made, was attended by a number of political leaders, including that of the ruling Congress.
A number of party leaders, including MLA Vikas Upadhyay and former Mayor Pramod Dubey, had marked their attendance at the Kalash Yatra that was organised on the first day of the Sansad.
The Kalash Yatra was inaugurated by the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former chief minister of the state, Raman Singh.
Police Complaint Filed by Chhattisgarh Congress President, Former Mayor Dubey
A case has been filed in relation to the Dharam Sansad, after a complaint by former Mayor Pramod Dubey, who had attended the event. The complaint was filed against Kalicharan, for using "abusive words for Mahatma Gandhi."
"On the complaint of former Mayor Pramod Dubey against Kalicharan Maharaj, who used abusive words for Mahatma Gandhiji in Dharma sansad held at Ravanabhata Ground, Raipur, Chhattisgarh on 26.12.21, crime number 578/2021, an offence has been registered under sections 505(2), 294 IPC at Tikrapara police station."Chhattisgarh Police
Section 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code provides for punishment for "statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes," while section 294 provides for punishment for one who "sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place."
An FIR has also been filed in the case on the complaint of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee President Mohan Markam.
'Kalicharan No Saint': Politicians Condemn Remarks Against Gandhi
"Such statements against Mahatma Gandhi are not acceptable. We condemn it. The administration will take strict action as per the law," Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was quoted as saying by ANI on Monday.
State Health Minister TS Singh Deo also called out the hate speech and promised strict legal action. "Bapu is an inspiration to the whole world. Though respecting what he has taught is voluntary, using his name to incite community sentiment and violence will not be tolerated in Chhattisgarh and strict legal action will be taken against those involved," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
"Kalicharan, who used abusive language against Mahatma Gandhi, cannot be a saint. And one who is a saint, cannot use such language. We are sanatan dharmi, we have read our scriptures; there is no use of such foul language in them... Kalicharan's comments are condemnable. We have filed an FIR against him. Such people will not be tolerated in Chhattisgarh," Congress leader Pramod Dubey said in a statement.
Chhattisgarh Congress President Markam, condemning Kalicharan's jibe against Gandhi, said, "A case of sedition should be registered against Kalicharan who insulted Mahatma Gandhi."
BJP leader and Chhattisgarh Leader of Opposition Dharamlal Kaushik said, "There was no control over the program and moreover, the saints come and speak up their mind... The organisers should ponder on this, if you have called your guests how can you ensure their respect, how can you ensure that they aren't insulted and your emotions too are conveyed and embodied."
Nationalist Congress Party leader Nawab Malik also condemned the speech by the religious leader.
"Truth, non-violence can never be defeated by false and violent. Bapu, we are ashamed that your murderers are alive," he said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh tweeted, "Who is this who is abusing our father of the nation? Will Modi ji do something or will he only "not be able to forgive him from his heart"."
This comes after a three-day hate speech conclave was organised in Uttarakhand's pilgrimage city of Haridwar by controversial Hindutva leader Yati Narsinghanand, and another in the national capital where Hindu right-wing groups took an oath to "fight, die and if required, kill" for a Hindu nation.
Both the events were filled with calls to pick up arms against minorities for the pursuit of a Hindu Rashtra.
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