24, Dec 2020 | CJP Team

Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has approached the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) with a complaint against Kamalendu Sarkar, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader in Assam for his hate filled and offensive speech against Islam in Sonitpur District, Tezpur on December 13.

The CJP complaint dated December 21, 2020 brings to the NCM’s notice the hate speech delivered by Kamalendu Sarkar at a Public function in Sonitpur that offended and hurt the sentiments of the members of the Muslim community. The speech endorsed unverified and false allegations against the Prophet Mohammad alleging that he was a rapist and that this is what the Quran says, insinuating that Muslim women are ill-treated.

CJP is dedicated to finding and bringing to light instances of Hate Speech, so that the bigots propagating these venomous ideas can be unmasked and brought to justice. To learn more about our campaign against hate speech, please become a member. To support our initiatives, please donate now!

CJP has a copy of the video, but we have decided against using it as it is extremely offensive and could incite further communal violence. We, at CJP, under no circumstance, endorse or encourage such views. However, we have sent the video recording to NCM for their perusal to take appropriate action.

The complaint also states that the All-Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) had to pro-actively intervene to prevent communal clashes in Tezpur after the video went viral. The organisation had alleged that the Tezpur police initially failed to take cognisance of the matter and register the FIR against the accused persons on December 13. This exacerbated the already volatile situation and a large number of people gathered at Tezpur police station on December 14, 2020 demanding the arrest of Kamalendu Sarkar and other leaders who attended the function.

The complaint also said that the General Secretary of AAMSU, Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed Hazarika had alleged, “The words Kamalendu Sarkar used have hurt the religious sentiments of Muslim people. The baseless statement was made only to start a communal riot in the area. I am thankful that people are maintaining amity till now, though police are remaining silent over the issue.” Hence the CJP complaint lists the consequences of delay in registering the FIR which is mandated under the law.

The complaint to NCM also mentions that the provocative speech by Mr. Sarkar on December 13, 2020, compelled the Maszid Committee, the Tezpur Muslim Kabarsthan Committee, Polofield Masjid Committee, Bara Masjid Managing Committee, Tezpur Dhakowali Panchayat write to the Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur, Tezpur, Assam to take the necessary steps to preserve harmonious existence between the different communities on behalf of the greater Muslim Organisations. They alleged in their letter dated December 16, 2020, that the hurtful speech delivered by Mr. Sarkar was a conspiracy to create communal conflict and disrupt the harmony between different communities residing in and around Tezpur.

The complaint lists down the violation of the Indian Penal Code and requests the National Commission for Minorities to take cognisance of the incident. In addition to this, CJP has also humbly requested the Commission to direct an independent inquiry into the case that has been registered at the Tezpur Police Station in order to supplement the police inquiry and push for a fair and just investigation. It has also been prayed that the Commission issue directions to the Assam Police to submit an Action Taken Report and give updates to it regarding the progress of the case.

The entire complaint may be read here:

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