In the state of Maharashtra, communal tensions have reached a boiling point after a controversial sermon delivered by Hindu religious leader Saint Ramgiri Maharaj on August 16 in Panchale village, Nashik’s Sinnar region. During his discourse, Maharaj, who was explaining significant verses from ancient Hindu scriptures, allegedly made derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammed, sparking outrage among the Muslim community. The incident has led to widespread protests, FIRs, and calls for severe punishment against the saint, with the situation escalating into a full-blown communal crisis.
Saint Ramgiri Maharaj’s sermon, intended to inspire his followers to lead a righteous life, quickly turned controversial when he allegedly made comments linking the actions of certain Islamist individuals to their religious doctrine.
A video clip of his remarks, which some claim were edited out of context, began circulating on social media, further inflaming sentiments. The sermon specifically mentioned the historical mistreatment of women by Islamists, which Maharaj attributed to religious teachings. This led to accusations that he insulted Prophet Mohammed, resulting in a wave of outrage across Maharashtra, particularly in districts such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, Mumbai, and Pune.
You kept quiet during Nupur Sharma times… don’t be silent this time.
Speak up !
Ramgiri Maharaj has just stated fact.#IsupportRamgiriMaharaj pic.twitter.com/LrvWDDxXLX
— Sameet Thakkar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@thakkar_sameet) August 17, 2024
The most intense reactions were seen in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on the very day of the sermon. A large gathering of Muslims assembled outside the City Chowk police station, demanding immediate and severe punishment for Ramgiri Maharaj. Slogans of ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ (beheading) echoed through the streets, as video footage of the protests showed community leaders and members calling for the saint’s death.
The situation grew tense as the mob urged the police to take action, leading to the filing of an FIR against Maharaj under Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to the deliberate intent to wound religious feelings.
Additional FIRs were filed in various regions, including Yeola in Nashik and Mumbra in Thane. In Mumbra, 31-year-old Maulana Sajid-Ul-Rehman lodged a complaint accusing Maharaj of promoting enmity between religious groups and inciting violence through his speech. The police promptly booked Maharaj under multiple sections of the BNS, including those addressing the promotion of enmity, intentional insult, and criminal intimidation.
The incident has drawn sharp political reactions, with leaders from various parties condemning the saint’s remarks and calling for action. NCP’s Jitendra Awhad and AIMIM’s Imtiaz Jaleel have been vocal in their criticism, with Awhad suggesting that the comments were part of a larger political conspiracy aimed at destabilising the state. He emphasised that Maharashtra’s saint tradition has always promoted communal harmony, and any attempt to create religious hatred must be condemned.
Pune : Ramgiri Maharaj has made an objectionable statement about Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In response, people gathered at the Kondhwa Police Station , Pune to express their anger and demands for his arrest. #Pune pic.twitter.com/HmALLUzA1j
— Rahil Mohammed 🆇 (@iamRahilM) August 16, 2024
Meanwhile, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) led by Prakash Ambedkar has demanded the introduction of a bill to prevent the vilification of religious figures, citing the repeated incidents of alleged hate speech against Prophet Mohammed.
Ramgiri maharaj ko jald se jald Arrest Kiya jaye……
Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi ne “paghamber Muhammad bill” ishi liye pesh kiya tha ke aise nafrati log kisi ki bhavnao ko aahat na kar sake.
#VBAforIndia pic.twitter.com/yGDlv3an6o
— Gautam Waghmare (@GautamW42104954) August 17, 2024
On the other hand, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has expressed support for Ramgiri Maharaj, highlighting the state’s deep-rooted tradition of saintly guidance and condemning any attempts to harm religious leaders. Speaking at a religious event, Shinde reiterated the importance of respecting Maharashtra’s spiritual heritage and warned against actions that could disrupt social harmony.
Amid the mounting tension, Ramgiri Maharaj has defended his statements, asserting that they were taken out of context. He clarified that his sermon was primarily focused on the principles of Rajdharma, or righteous governance, and was intended to encourage Hindus to stand up against injustice. He emphasised that his comments were not meant to incite violence or hatred but were a call for unity and resilience in the face of oppression.
Ramgiri Maharaj stated to the media as quoted by OpIndia “I did not say anything to create a rift. It was an hour-and-a-half sermon. A few parts of it were edited. I was talking about Bhishmacharya and Dharmaraj during the sermon. I was explaining what is Rajdharma and how should a king follow Rajdharma. I spoke giving an instance that injustice should not be tolerated. While raising this issue, the topic of Bangladesh came up.”
“I said that we should be organised against this, we should remain strong. No one should hate or envy. Don’t bother anyone. But if someone is harassing you, don’t bear it. What we said is written in the scriptures,” he said adding that nothing else can be said on this issue. “We are peace-loving people and our intentions are never to hurt anyone but to show society the truth,” he added.
Maharaj also expressed his faith in the Indian Constitution and the judiciary, stating that he would abide by any legal decisions made regarding the matter. He reiterated that his intentions were peaceful and rooted in the teachings of Hindu scriptures, which advocate for truth and righteousness.
The ongoing protests and FIRs against Ramgiri Maharaj have exacerbated existing communal tensions in Maharashtra, with Hindu and Muslim communities increasingly polarised. The situation mirrors previous incidents, such as the global backlash against BJP leader Nupur Sharma, where selective clips of statements led to widespread violence and unrest. In Maharashtra, the protests against Ramgiri Maharaj have been linked to broader concerns about the safety and rights of Hindus, particularly in the context of rising tensions in neighbouring Bangladesh.
Observers have noted that the current crisis may be part of a larger strategy by Islamist groups to counter Hindu protests against atrocities in Bangladesh. The targeting of Ramgiri Maharaj, they argue, could be a deliberate attempt to distract from the real issues and create further communal discord.
As the state grapples with these challenges, it is crucial for leaders and communities to address the situation with sensitivity and a commitment to justice. The selective editing of statements and the spread of communal messages on social media have the potential to inflame passions and undermine the rule of law.
