Police book NC worker for hate speech, MCC violation in Ganderbal

Srinagar, Sep 08: A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against a National Conference (NC) worker and former Sarpanch, Muhammad Ashraf Ganie, for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during an election rally.

Ganie, a resident of Sindbal, Ganderbal, is accused of promoting hatred through his public speech at Peerpora Kachan.

The FIR vide No 235/2024 has been registered at Ganderbal Police Station following a letter from the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and Nodal Officer for Law and Order.

The letter was received through the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganderbal, highlighting Ganie’s inflammatory speech, which is seen as a violation of the election MCC.

The case has been registered under Sections 191 and 351(3) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and an investigation is underway.

Section 191 (Giving false evidence) pertains to giving false evidence or making false declarations, particularly during legal proceedings.

While the direct link to the MCC isn’t evident here, this might relate to false or misleading claims made in Ganie’s speech.

Section 351(3) (Assault and use of criminal force) addresses the use of criminal force or assault with the intent to provoke.

The sub-section (3) of Section 351 refers to instances where this force or speech promotes enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different groups, which aligns with the MCC violation accusation.

“Given the gravity of the situation, it is recommended that stringent action be taken against the said person. An FIR should be lodged against the culprit under the applicable laws for promoting hatred through his speech and violating the model code of conduct,” the Nodal Officer said in the letter to the concerned official.

Ganie, during an election rally where Abdullah was present, said, “We can kill anyone for disrespecting the party flag.”

In a video, which formed the basis of the complaint, Ganie was, however, promptly stopped by Abdullah and prevented from addressing the rally further.

Several members of the audience also expressed their resentment at Ganie’s statement.

Ganderbal has historically been a stronghold for the National Conference and the Abdullah family.

The NC founder, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, and its current president, Farooq Abdullah, have represented the constituency multiple times.

Omar Abdullah previously held the Ganderbal seat from 2009 to 2014, during his tenure as chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.