‘Now, no one dares to offer namaz on UP roads: Yogi Adityanath
UP CM's anti-Muslim remarks prompt complaint to Election Commission
New Delhi: A human rights advocacy group, Law and Policy Research Institute (LPRI), based in Bengaluru, has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath against the inflammatory speeches targeting the Muslim community during an election rally in Palghar, Maharashtra.
According to Kashmir Media Service, LPRI filed the complaint, demanding a thorough investigation and appropriate action against the chief minister. The group also sought assurances that such communal rhetoric would not be repeated, emphasizing that Yogi’s remarks undermine India’s secular fabric and threaten communal harmony.
Addressing the rally, Yogi Adityanath stated, “Now, no one dares to offer namaz on the roads of UP. The mosques have removed their mikes. In the next five years, people will forget about screams (azaan) from mosques.”
In its complaint, LPRI highlighted that these statements violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA), and several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The complaint specified violations such as appealing to communal feelings for votes, criticizing opponents beyond policies and programs, and engaging in corrupt practices.
The group pointed out that Yogi’s speech contravened provisions of the RPA, which prohibit promoting enmity or hatred between classes on religious grounds.
LPRI’s statement emphasized the unlawful nature of Adityanath’s remarks, warning that such words have the potential to incite communal discord and disturb public peace. The organization has a history of filing complaints with the ECI against hate speeches and violations of election laws during campaigns.
