CJP Files Follow-Up Complaint with Maharashtra Police as BJP MLA Faces Multiple Charges
BOMBAY- In the midst of heightened tensions surrounding hate speech allegations, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Raja Singh’s planned rally in Mira Road, Thane Maharashtra, has been conditionally approved by the Bombay High Court. Despite concerns raised by authorities due to numerous hate speech cases against Singh in Maharashtra and other states, the court’s decision comes with strict conditions to prevent any provocative rhetoric.
Following a criminal writ petition filed by Naresh Ramu Nile, organizer of the Hindu Task Force and Sakal Hindu Samaj, under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution, the Bombay High Court intervened in the matter. Represented by advocate Khush Khandelwal, the petitioner challenged the denial of permission for the rally by the police.
During the February 23 hearing, Justice R.P. A division bench of Justices Mohite Dere and Manusha Ajay Deshpande granted Singh permission to hold the rally under the condition that no hate speeches would be delivered, and the event would be recorded. This conditional approval aligns with directives from the Supreme Court, ensuring that no inflammatory remarks are made and that the entire event is captured on video for potential legal action.
Despite the court’s cautionary measures, concerns remain high regarding Singh’s history of divisive rhetoric. In anticipation of potential violations, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) submitted an additional petition to the Mira-Road Bhayandar Vasai Virar Police, urging strict adherence to Supreme Court guidelines issued in January 2024.
Raja Singh’s controversial past includes expulsion from the BJP in 2022 for incendiary remarks against Muslims. Despite facing over 100 criminal cases, including recent allegations of hate speech in Maharashtra, Singh was reinstated in the BJP. Numerous FIRs, including those for “hurting religious sentiments” and “promoting enmity between groups”, underscore the severity of the charges against him.
Efforts to track the progress of these cases have faced obstacles, with the CJP encountering difficulties in obtaining information from police stations across Maharashtra where FIRs have been filed against Singh. Despite their efforts, details regarding the status of investigations remain elusive, highlighting potential challenges in holding Singh accountable for his actions.
As the controversy surrounding Raja Singh persists, the conditional approval for his rally underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the prevention of hate speech in India’s political landscape.