Uttar Pradesh STF Detains Bihar Cleric in Controversial Remarks Case
In a significant late-night operation, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) detained Maulana Abdullah Salim, a cleric from Jokihat in Araria, Bihar, on Monday. The action is directly linked to alleged objectionable remarks made against the mother of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, sparking widespread controversy and legal proceedings.
Legal Proceedings and FIR Details
According to official sources, the STF team apprehended Salim from Purnea and transported him to Uttar Pradesh for further investigation. This development follows the registration of two First Information Reports (FIRs) against the cleric in UP districts.
One FIR was filed at the Nagar Kotwali police station in Bahraich district, while another was registered in Balrampur district. The Bahraich case originated from a complaint by Ajit Pratap Singh, the district legal cell convenor of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and a practicing advocate.
Singh alleged that Salim made derogatory comments about the UP Chief Minister's mother during a public gathering, with the remarks subsequently circulating widely through a viral video on social media platforms.
Legal Charges and Provisions
Based on the formal complaint, police registered the case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include:
- Section 196(1)(a) for promoting enmity between different groups
- Section 299 for outraging religious feelings
- Section 353(1) for circulation of false information
This legal action followed an earlier FIR registered on March 7 in Balrampur district on the complaint of BJP district president Ravi Mishra. In that initial case, police invoked provisions related to intentional insult and public mischief.
Origin of the Controversy
The controversy erupted after a video clip from a religious gathering held during the month of Ramzan in Bihar went viral across social media platforms. In the purported video footage, the cleric is alleged to have used inappropriate and disrespectful language while referring to the Chief Minister's mother, triggering immediate backlash.
Protests and Political Reactions
The alleged remarks ignited protests across several Uttar Pradesh districts, including Balrampur, Basti, Sitapur, and Kanpur. Activists and community members staged demonstrations demanding strict legal action against the cleric.
BJP MLA Surendra Diler formally wrote to the Senior Superintendent of Police seeking stringent legal measures, emphasizing that the viral video content could potentially disturb communal harmony in the region.
Actor-turned-MP Ravi Kishan publicly condemned the alleged remarks, stating that in Indian cultural traditions, a mother holds the highest respect and such statements are completely unacceptable in civil society.
VHP leaders characterized the speech as provocative and capable of disturbing communal peace. They demanded strict legal action, including consideration under the National Security Act (NSA), and sought a comprehensive ban on the cleric's public speeches.
Profile of Maulana Abdullah Salim
Maulana Abdullah Salim Chaturvedi, an Islamic preacher from Bihar who has recently come into the national spotlight, is known both for his religious oratory and his involvement in state politics. Salim is regarded as an influential Islamic speaker, particularly noted for his powerful and engaging public addresses.
What distinguishes Salim from many other religious speakers is his distinctive style of incorporating references not only from Islamic texts like the Quran but also from Hindu scriptures including the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana. This approach reflects a cross-religious narrative in his public addresses that has garnered both attention and controversy throughout his career.
