'Stern action for objectionable remarks on gods and goddesses of any religion': Yogi Adityanath warns against hate speech

The UP CM's warning came close on the heels of Hindu seer Yeti Narsimhanand's reported objectionable remarks on Prophet Muhammad and Quran which sparked violent protests in some parts of the state last week.

Lucknow: Days after Hindu seer Yeti Narsimhananda’s reported remarks on Prophet Muhammad and ‘Quran’ sparked violent protests in several cities in the state and in parts of the country, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath warned against 'objectionable' remarks on religious figures, gods and goddesses and said that the state government would not 'tolerate' such things.

Adityanath, while chairing a meeting of senior police and other officials here on Monday, also said that triggering chaos and anarchy in the name of protests would also not be tolerated.

''We should show respect to every religion and community and there must not be any attempt to 'demean' any religious figure, gods and goddesses."

''We will ensure stern action against anyone who makes objectionable remarks on gods and goddesses of any religion....at the same time arson, damaging public properties in the name of protests will also not be tolerated,'' he added.

Adityanath directed the police to deploy security personnel in strength during the forthcoming religious festivals like Navratri and Diwali and take stern action against troublemakers..

The chief minister's warning came close on the heels of Narsimhanand's reported objectionable remarks on Prophet Muhammad and Quran which sparked violent protests in some parts of the state last week. 

Senior Muslim clerics and leaders of the community decried the Seer’s remarks and demanded stern action against him.

Narsimhananda had reportedly made objectionable remarks on the Prophet and Quran during a sermon in the Temple last month. Narsimhananda had earlier also courted controversy and was arrested in a case of alleged hate speech two years back.