Narsinghanand derogatory remarks attack on communal harmony: Usman Majid

Srinagar, Oct 6: Former minister Usman Majid on Sunday strongly condemned the derogatory and blasphemous remarks made by Yati Narsinghanand against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and termed them a direct attack on communal harmony.

In a statement issued here, he urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take immediate and strict legal action against him.

Majid expressed deep outrage over the remarks, calling them a direct attack on communal harmony and peace.

“I strongly condemn the blasphemous and deeply offensive remarks made by Yati Narsinghanand against Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Such hate speech is not only a deliberate act of provocation but also a serious assault on the harmony and unity of our diverse nation. These remarks have caused immense hurt and outrage among Muslims worldwide, and no peace-loving Indian, regardless of their faith, can tolerate such disrespect towards any religion or faith,” he said.

Majid highlighted the broader implications of hate speech on the country’s reputation and moral fabric. “Hate speech like this tarnishes the reputation of our country, which has always stood as a beacon of unity in diversity. Yati Narsinghanand’s vile statements are not just an attack on Islam but on the moral and spiritual fabric of India. As a multi-religious and multicultural society, we cannot allow individuals like him to disrespect any religion or faith and disrupt communal harmony,” he said.

Majid also called for the invocation of laws such as the Hate Speech Act, UAPA, and NSA to deal with individuals who spread communal hatred.

“His arrest is not only a legal necessity under laws like the Hate Speech Act, UAPA, and NSA but also a moral imperative to prevent further attempts to incite communal tensions. This is not only an issue for Muslims but a degradation of the broader society's values. No individual should be allowed to use religious platforms to spread hatred, and those who do must face serious consequences,” he said.

Majid urged Home Minister Amit Shah to take immediate and strict action against Narsinghanand.

He called on the Home Minister to intervene promptly, stressing that his involvement is essential not only to ensure that Yati Narsinghanand faces the full force of the law but also to send a clear message that such provocative and hateful remarks will not be tolerated.

Majid reiterated that the Home Minister's decisive action in this matter would reaffirm the government's commitment to maintaining communal harmony and upholding the values of peace and respect in India.

Referring to Narsinghanand’s actions as a “calculated effort” to incite violence, he said, “Yati Narsinghanand’s repeated derogatory remarks represent a calculated effort to inflame communal tensions and incite violence. His actions pose a grave threat to the peace and social stability of our nation. As responsible citizens, we must safeguard the unity and harmony of India by ensuring that individuals like him are held accountable.”

Majid urged intellectuals, religious leaders, and public figures to come together and denounce such hate-mongering.

“These hate-mongering individuals are a menace to society, and their divisive rhetoric has no place in our peaceful and inclusive country. It is crucial that leaders, intellectuals, and religious figures rise together to denounce such vile remarks. We must defend the cultural and religious traditions of our country, which are being tarnished by those who misuse religious platforms to spread hatred,” he said.

Majid also stressed the importance of India's foundational values of brotherhood and harmony.

“India’s roots are deeply embedded in harmony, brotherhood, and mutual respect. Any entity or individual that deliberately tries to disrupt this brotherhood by hurting religious sentiments must be dealt with firmly. The law must take its course, and individuals who incite communal disharmony must face the consequences of their actions,” he said. “We are a nation built on the principles of tolerance, respect, and peaceful coexistence.

No individual should be allowed to disrespect any religion or faith, and strict legal action is necessary to send a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated in our country. Let this be an example that hate speech has no place in India, and those who indulge in it will be held accountable under the law.”