Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government informed the Bombay High Court that approximately 67 FIRs have been registered statewide against Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj, a Hindu religious leader, because of his alleged derogatory remarks against Islam and Prophet Mohammed at an event in Nashik. They added that the objectionable material containing the alleged derogatory remarks, which was shared online, is being taken down by the cyber crime police.
According to Maharashtra Advocate General Dr Birendra Saraf made this submission while opposing a petition which sought registration of an FIR against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for sharing a stage with Ramgiri Maharaj after FIRs were filed against him.
The petition, filed by advocate Mohammad Wasi Sayed and others, alleges a significant increase in communal incidents since 2014, claiming that “systematic Islamophobic customs are protected by the state and Union governments,” leading to mob lynchings, riots, and the ostracism of Muslims.
Advocate Ejaz Naqvi, representing the petitioners, argued that instead of taking action against Ramgiri Maharaj, Shinde chose to share a platform with him, asserting that saints would be protected in the state.
However, Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan noted that petitions regarding the removal of the seer’s videos and the registration of FIRs for alleged hate speech are already being heard.
Regarding hate speech, the bench remarked that while they cannot prevent individuals from giving speeches, the police are taking necessary action and registering FIRs.
“Just because they (Eknath Shinde and Ramgiri) are sharing a stage, it does not mean that FIR should be registered. You have to show malafides. If there is a breach, there are FIRs being registered. You (Naqvi) are making the issue political. When you digress from the core issue, then this is what happens. Your core issue is to take down videos,” the bench added, as mentioned by the publication.
Saraf opposed the plea, emphasising that FIRs against Ramgiri Maharaj had already been registered, stating that as of September 19, 67 FIRs were filed. He argued that proceedings cannot be initiated in this manner and urged for the removal of CM’s name from the list of respondents in the petition. The bench agreed and warned of imposing costs on the petitioners.
The bench further directed Naqvi to modify his prayers and delete all the respondents except cyber police and local police officials. “Police have a mechanism. They will deal with this,” the bench stated.
The bench will further hear the petition on October 17.
