Yati Narsinghanand Giri, accused in Haridwar hate speech case, arrested by Uttarakhand Police

The Uttarakhand Police on Saturday arrested seer Yati Narsinghanand Giri, one of the accused persons in the Haridwar hate speech case, ANI reported.

Giri was allegedly one of the organisers of a “dharam sansad”, or a religious parliament, held in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar city between December 17 and December 19, during which Hindutva group members and seers had called for violence against Muslims. The speakers at the event had asked Hindus to buy weapons to commit genocide against Muslims.

Superintendent of Police, Haridwar (City) Swatantra Kumar confirmed that Giri has been arrested by the Haridwar police, The Indian Express. Kumar said that the seer was taken to the Kotwali police station, after which he was being sent to a hospital.

The circle officer, Haridwar city, said that Giri has been placed under arrest “in connection with a case pertaining to derogatory remarks against women”, ANI reported. The officer said two to three cases have been registered against the seer.

Late on Saturday, supporters of the seer had reportedly gathered in front of the police station, and the police had to use minor force to disperse them.

Giri is the second person to have been arrested in the case after Jitendra Tyagi, who was arrested on January 13. Tyagi was earlier known as Wasim Rizvi and was the chairperson of the Uttar…

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