In a show of unity, hundreds of members of the Muslim community gathered in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, to protest against what they described as blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad. The large-scale demonstration took place on Sunday (August 25), drawing participants from various districts across the state. The protesters voiced their demands for strict legal action against those accused of blasphemy, issuing a three-month ultimatum to the central government to enact a law specifically targeting blasphemy offences.
The protest began in the Parade Ground of Dehradun, where crowds swelled as Muslims from different parts of Uttarakhand converged to express their outrage. The protest was organised by several prominent Muslim organisations, including the Muslim Seva Sangathan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, and Imam-e-Risalat. The assembly, named “Shan-e-Risalat” (Dignity of the Prophet), was marked by hate speeches and fervent slogan chanting, as attendees called for action against Sant Ramgiri Maharaj of Maharashtra, whom they accused of blasphemy.
Prominent religious leaders, including several Maulanas, Muftis, and the city Qazi, addressed the crowd from a stage erected specifically for the occasion. The tone of the speeches was unequivocal, with one speaker declaring, “Those who disrespect the Prophet have only one place, and that is hell.” The speaker specifically referenced Sant Ramgiri Maharaj, stating, “He is in Maharashtra; wherever he is, he cannot sit in peace. This is the decision of my Allah. You should see what needs to be done with him.”
This video is from Uttarakhand, the same #Uttarakhand where:
When Hindu organisations called for a Mahapanchayat in Puraula, the Uttarakhand government imposed Section 144, citing the potential for law and order disruption.
The Supreme Court had taken immediate notice of the… pic.twitter.com/LAQXCQIm0b
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) August 27, 2024
What made this protest particularly notable was the rare display of unity between the Deobandi and Barelvi sects, whose clerics shared the stage despite their usual ideological differences. The crowd, echoing the sentiments of the speakers, demanded the immediate imprisonment of Sant Ramgiri Maharaj. The clerics also called on the Modi government to introduce a blasphemy law within three months, warning that failure to do so would result in a larger protest march to Delhi.
The protestors initially planned to march to the Dehradun District Magistrate’s office to present their demands directly. However, the police administration intervened, preventing the march from taking place. Instead, a memorandum was submitted to senior district officials at the Parade Ground. The event was closely monitored, with drone surveillance in place, and a heavy police presence was deployed to maintain order. Several police stations contributed forces to ensure that the protest remained peaceful and to prevent any potential escalation.
This protest is part of a broader wave of unrest within the Muslim community across India, following remarks made by Sant Ramgiri Maharaj in Maharashtra, which many Muslims have deemed blasphemous. In several parts of the country, these protests have already turned violent, adding to the urgency of the situation. In many parts of Maharashtra videos have emerged where crowd is chanting slogans like “Sar Tan see Juda.”
This is not Pakistan !
This is Pune, where slogans of Sar Tan Se Juda are being raised! pic.twitter.com/6OlCouNPEj
— The Jaipur Dialogues (@JaipurDialogues) August 24, 2024
Notably, on August 25, Pune City Police booked over 300 people for illegally assembling, conducting a protest march without permission, and raising objectionable ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans in front of the Pune Collector’s office.
According to the information received, the Islamist mob carried out the protest march on August 23, without taking necessary permission from the administration. According to Pune City Police officials, a case was lodged at Bund Garden Police Station on Saturday. The accused have been booked under sections 189(2), 190, 196, and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as sections 135 and 37(1) of the Maharashtra Police Act.
