SRINAGAR: Prominent Muslim leaders of J&K have called on Home Minister Amit Shah to take immediate legal action against Yati Narsinghanand for his inflammatory and defamatory statements targeting the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The letter, co-signed by several influential religious figures including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq reads:”We are writing to bring to your urgent attention a deeply concerning issue that has affected the sentiments of millions of Muslims across India and beyond. The inflammatory and defamatory remarks made by Yati Narsinghanand, targeting the holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), have caused severe emotional distress to the Muslim community and created potential for widespread unrest,” reads the letter.
The leaders emphasized that while freedom of speech is a fundamental right, it cannot be misused to spread hatred or cause harm to any community’s religious sentiments.
“Freedom of speech is a fundamental right in any democratic society, but it cannot be a license to spread hate and cause deep hurt to the religious sentiments of an entire community. India is a land of many religions and ethnicities, where respect for all religions should be paramount. Such remarks are not only offensive but also divisive and pose a threat to communal harmony and peace.”
The other signatories of the letter are Molvi Umar Farooq (Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir), Mufti Nasir-Ul-Islam (Grand Mufti), Molana Rehmatullah Qasimi (Darul Uloom Raheemiyah), Aga Syed Hassan Al Moosvi (Anjuman Sharie Shian), Dr. Abdul Lateef AlKindi (Jamiate Ahlihadees), Molana Ghulam Rasool Hami (Karwan-i-Islami), Molana Masroor Abbas Ansari (Itihaadul Muslimeen), Mufti Inayatullah Qasmi (Imam Jama Masjid Jammu), Sheikh Sadiq Rajai (Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust Kargil), Sheikh Nazir Mehdi (Jamiatul Ulema Kargil), and Molana Umar Nadwi (Jama Masjid Leh). Additionally, the letter is co-signed by all other members and constituents of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema and the Muslim Personal Law Board.
The signatories urged the Government of India to take immediate legal action against Yati Narsinghanand in accordance with the law and the Constitution. They stressed that swift action would send a strong message against hate speech and ensure that religious sentiments are respected across all communities.
“We demand that the Government of India take appropriate legal action against Yati Narsinghanand for his hate-filled comments in accordance with the law and the Constitution of the land and respect the sanctity of our faith.”
The letter concludes with an appeal to the Home Minister to address the matter with seriousness and take necessary steps to restore peace and harmony among all communities.
“Immediate and firm action in this matter will send a strong message that hate speech and incitement to violence will have no place in civilized society. It will also serve as a reassurance to the Muslim community that their faith and values are respected and protected under the law.”