CJP files 5 hate speech complaints before CEO Maharashtra as violated MCC Urging FIRs under electoral laws, accusing Suresh Chavhanke, Harsha Thakur, and BJP’s Dhananjay Mahadik
02, Dec 2024 | CJP Team
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has filed five complaints with the Maharashtra State Election Commission, alleging violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Pathanpura, Akola, and Delgur (Nanded). The complaints highlight hate speech delivered by habitual hate offenders during the election period, urging the Chief Election Officer (CEO) S. Chockalingam to direct registration of FIRs under Sections 123(2), 123(3), and 123(3A) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951. Three of the complaints were filed against Suresh Chavhanke, the editor-in-chief of Sudarshan News, for his inflammatory speeches in Jalgaon (Nov 8), Akola (Nov 13), and Pathanpura (Nov 11). Another complaint accuses Harsha Thakur of making divisive comments in Delgur (Nanded) on October 29, while the fifth complaint involves BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik for his communal speech during an election rally in Kolhapur. These actions, CJP claims, violated MCC guidelines and electoral laws.
Details of complaints:
- Jalgaon [November 15, 2024]
Speaker – Suresh Chavhanke
On November 15, 2024, CJP filed a complaint before the CEO Maharashtra regarding the gross violation of MCC in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, due to the hate-filled rhetoric of Suresh Chavhanke. Chavhanke’s speech at the Janata-NRC event blatantly violated the MCC and undermined the principles of free and fair elections as pleaded by the CJP in its complaint. The said speech was delivered by Suresh Chavhanke at the Janta-NRC event on November 8, 2024, in Jalgaon, Maharashtra.
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In his address, Chavhanke explicitly targeted Muslim citizens by misrepresenting Islamic symbols, falsely claiming that the crescent and star, often associated with Islam, belonged not to Islam but to the Muslim League, and linking it to the creation of Pakistan. He further propagated misinformation by associating the true Islamic flag with extremist ideologies. Referring to Muslims as “infiltrators” and calling for their removal to “save Maharashtra,” he sought to fuel communal tensions. Additionally, he promoted the baseless “Vote Jihad” conspiracy, accusing Muslims of using elections to wage a religious war, inciting division and hostility.
CJP mentioned in its complaint that “This statement is highly provocative and anti-Muslim because it labels Muslims as “infiltrators” and associates them with a threat to India’s integrity. The call to “drive out the infiltrators” implies that Muslims are unwelcome outsiders, fostering fear and hatred. The comparison of the saffron flag to the Tricolor and the assertion that without saffron, the Tricolor will “turn green” insinuates that Muslims, symbolized by green, pose a threat to national unity. Furthermore, the term “vote Jihad” equates Muslim political participation to religious warfare, encouraging communal hostility and framing elections as a religious battle, thus deepening divisions.
The video can be accessed through this link: https: https://t.me/hindutvawatchin/802
Full Complaint can be read here:
2. Akola [November 13, 2024] & 3. Pathanpura (Mangrulpir) [November 11, 2024]
Speaker – Suresh Chavhanke
On November 21, 2024, CJP filed a complaint regarding the hate-filled speeches delivered by Suresh Chavhanke, editor-in-chief of Sudarshan News, in Akola and Pathanpura (Mangrulpir), Maharashtra. Chavhanke’s speeches, delivered on November 13, 2024, in Akola and November 11, 2024, in Pathanpura, contained clear examples of hate speech, particularly targeting the Muslim community. Throughout his speeches, Chavhanke used derogatory terms like “love jihad,” “intruders,” and “jihadists,” portraying Muslims as a threat to national security and fueling fear by labeling them as “infiltrators” from neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar.
Furthermore, Chavhanke invoked historical figures such as “Aurangzeb” and “Tipu Sultan” to vilify Muslims, manipulating religious sentiments to create division. He also urged voters to support laws targeting Muslims, including “cow protection” and the baseless “love jihad” conspiracy. This inflammatory rhetoric was designed to incite hatred and polarize communities. CJP’s complaint highlighted that Chavhanke’s speeches violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and sections 123(2), 123(3), and 123(3A) of the Representation of the People Act (RP Act), 1951, which prohibit hate speech and the incitement of religious division during election periods, as per CJP’s complaint.
CJP said in its complaint that, “By linking political choices to religious identity and inciting voters to act against Muslim communities, the speaker attempts to polarize the election along religious lines. The call to vote based on laws like “love jihad” or “cow protection” further encourages discrimination, suggesting that the Muslim community is responsible for crimes against Hindu women or society. This creates a hostile, divisive atmosphere, undermining the principles of free and fair elections.”
The video can be accessed through this link: https: https://t.me/hindutvawatchin/835 & https://t.me/hindutvawatchin/829
The Complaint can be read here:
- Delgur, Nanded [November 21, 2024]
Speaker – Harsha Thakur
On November 21, 2024, CJP filed a complaint regarding the anti-Muslim and communal hate speech delivered by right-wing leader Harsha Thakur at a public event in Delgur, Nanded, Maharashtra. Thakur, campaigning for independent Hindu nationalist candidate Dr. Virupaksha Maharaj, made inflammatory remarks that blatantly violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and undermined free and fair elections. On October 29, 2024, Thakur’s speech contained divisive rhetoric, calling for Hindus to avoid supporting those who allegedly sided with other religious communities.
She warned that if Sharia law were implemented, valuable land would be transferred to the Waqf Board, inciting fear and communal tension. Thakur further urged voters to prioritize religious unity over caste-based voting. Her comments, intended to stoke division, violated MCC provisions by inciting religious hatred and manipulating religious sentiments for electoral gain. CJP emphasized that these statements contravened Sections 123(2), 123(3), and 123(3A) of the Representation of the People Act (RP Act), 1951.
According to CJP’s complaint in her speech, Thakur urged voters that, “Don’t vote for a candidate who gives employment to Muslims!” and further stated, “India will never work on Sharia law,” while also spreading unfounded fears about the Waqf Board. This rhetoric is not only inflammatory but also divisive, promoting religious intolerance and fear-mongering. By appealing to voters on religious lines and stoking fear about Muslims and their institutions, Thakur’s speech creates a dangerous environment of communal polarization.”
The video can be accessed through this link: https: https://t.me/hindutvawatchin/825
The Complaint can be read here:
- Kolhapur [November 15, 2024]
Speaker – BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik
On November 15, 2024, CJP approached the CEO Maharashtra with a complaint against BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik, following his controversial remarks at a rally in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. In a video that surfaced, Mahadik was seen instructing party workers to target women beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahini Yojana attending Congress rallies. He directed his supporters to photograph or film these women and report back to him. His statement, “I will teach those women a lesson,” was a clear attempt to intimidate and surveil women based on their political affiliations. These actions were seen as an explicit violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951.
CJP argued that Mahadik’s directive not only threatened women’s rights to political participation but also used a government welfare scheme intended for empowerment as a tool for political control. The complaint called for immediate action under electoral laws to address this form of intimidation.
The video can be accessed through this link: https://x.com/HateDetectors/status/1856274208646672512
In this video, #BJP‘s #RajyaSabha MP #DhananjayMahadik addresses party workers at #Kolhapur : ‘If any beneficiary of the ‘#LadkiBahiniYojana‘ is seen at a #Congrss rally, take their photo and make a video, then send it to me. I will teach those women a lesson’.… pic.twitter.com/hdz28UDv7R
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) November 12, 2024
The Complaint can be read here:
Notably, CJP played a pivotal role in monitoring the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, vigilantly flagging complaints of hate speech and violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Their persistent efforts resulted in the registration of FIRs against Suresh Chavhanke and Kajal Hindustani in Maharashtra for delivering inflammatory speeches that breached MCC guidelines.
Related:
CJP files 3 MCC violation complaints with CEO Maharashtra against Suresh Chavhanke for hate speech
CJP’s fight against Hate: FIR filed against Suresh Chavhanke for Hate Speech at Karad event
