Police complaint filed against Shinde Sena’s Sanjay Nirupam for hate speech by activist Harsh Mander
Human rights activist Harsh Mander on Tuesday filed a police complaint against Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam for hate speech and making allegedly “threatening statements” against Muslims during a press conference on April 4.
Nirupam, a former MP, is the spokesperson of the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.
At the press conference in Mumbai on April 4, Nirupam was talking about the 2024 Waqf Amendment Bill, which was being considered by Parliament at the time.
A waqf is a property dedicated to a religious, educational or charitable cause under Islamic law. Each state has a waqf board led by a legal entity vested with the power to acquire, hold and transfer property.
The 2024 Waqf Amendment Bill proposed amendments to 44 sections of the 1995 Waqf Act, including allowing non-Muslims on waqf boards, restricting property donations and changing how waqf tribunals function.
The amendments were opposed by Opposition parties and Muslim groups.
The bill was cleared by Parliament on April 4. It received presidential assent on April 5 and took effect on April 8.
On Tuesday, Mander alleged that the remarks by Nirupam incited hatred and hostility against a particular community and had delegitimised peaceful protest, which is a “constitutionally protected right”.
The usage of “historically and emotionally-charged” references such as Shaheen Bagh and Jallianwala Bagh are “viewed...
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