09, Feb 2023 | CJP Team

Citizens for Justice Peace has written to Supriya Sule of National Congress Party, member of Lok Sabha from Baramati, Maharashtra raising concerns about Sakal Hindu Samaj’s event proposed to take place on February 9 in Baramati, Maharashtra. Sakal Hindu Samaj is the same organisation that has been giving a platform to hate speech offenders to make hate speech by organising events demanding central laws against ‘love jihad’, religious conversion and cow slaughter.

The Samaj’s proposed meet on February 5 was challenged before the Supreme Court and on February 3, the court had issued strict directions to the police to take preventive action if the need arises.

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Through this memorandum, CJP has highlighted to Ms Sule that repeat hate offenders Kalicharan Maharaj and Shankar Gaikar have been invited to speak at the event. There is no doubt that these two speakers will spew fresh venom against minorities, will give calls for violence and hurt religious sentiments of minorities through their speeches.

Raising concerns about the same, CJP, in its memorandum has highlighted previous hate speeches delivered by both Kalicharan and Gaikar.

The memo highlights how their “hate speech is against the constitutional spirit and values of secularism, fraternity and all democratic values. These speeches not only pose a serious threat to law and order but also apprehend a disturbance of public order where people could get incited to resort to violence and the same could result in communal disharmony. This is neither desirable for the State nor favourable to the law and order situation.”

The memo also points out that on February 3, 2023, the Supreme Court issued directions with respect to an event which was scheduled to be held in Mumbai on February 5 by Sakal Hindu Samaj. The court had taken an undertaking from the government of Maharashtra that if permission for this event is granted “it will be subject to the condition that nobody will make any hate speech and in defiance of law or disturbing the public order.” The court also gave directions that it shall be the duty of the police officers to invoke section 151 of CrPC for preventive action in case the need for the same arises.

While highlighting these facts, the memo states that “Sakal Hindu Samaj has been notorious for organising events and calling people who are known to deliver hate speeches in the past. It is clear from the history of events organised by Sakal Hindu Samaj in the recent past and the history of hate offences of Kalicharan Maharaj and Shankar Gaikar that once again during the February 9 event as well, similar speeches will be made and derogatory comments that will tend to disturb the peace and harmony and with tendency to disrupt law and order will be made.”

Accordingly, CJP has urged Ms Sule to do all that she can in her power, “especially bringing to the notice of Baramati police to take preventive action in this regard by following due process of law. We anticipate that a push from the elected representative of Baramati, a Member of Lok Sabha and a prominent public figure who has always spoken in support of human rights will bolster this endeavour to protect the society from such hateful public events.”

CJP has even reached out to DGP, Maharashtra as well as SP of  Rural Pune and Deputy SP of Baramati, in a separate memo seeking preventive action to stop the event from taking place. The complaint may be read here.

The memorandum may be read here:

Related:

CJP seeks preventive action against Sakal Hindu Samaj proposed event in Baramati

CJP’S CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST SHANKAR GAIKAR’S HATE SPEECH AT SHAURYA SANCHALAN

MAHARASHTRA: SHANKAR GAIKAR GIVES ANTI-MUSLIM SPEECH AT SHAURYA PATH SANCHALAN EVENT

CJP COMPLAINT TO DGP, MAHARASHTRA AND NCM AGAINST MISLEADING AND ISLAMOPHOBIC SPEECH BY KALICHARAN