A wave of public anger and condemnation swept through Uttar Pradesh after a video surfaced showing Maulana Rehan Raza Khan, a cleric from Pilibhit district, delivering an inflammatory and deeply offensive remark boasting that he keeps “80 crore Hindus at his feet.” The statement, which amounts to open communal provocation, triggered widespread outrage across social media and on the ground, forcing the police to intervene and arrest the Maulana.
The incident occurred in the Sehramau North area of Pilibhit district and quickly escalated into a law-and-order concern after the video went viral. In the footage, the Maulana—speaking before a small gathering can be heard declaring that Hindus, who constitute the majority in Bharat, are “beneath him.” The sheer brazenness and hatred in his tone sent shockwaves across communities.
Locals, disturbed by both the words and the arrogance of the delivery, immediately demanded action, calling it not just a communal slur but a direct affront to national unity and social peace.
According to official reports, a resident named Dalchand from Pilibhit district lodged a formal complaint after viewing the video. In his statement, Dalchand said the Maulana’s speech was “intentionally provocative” and designed to “create division between communities.” He further noted that minor children were present during the Maulana’s rant—a fact that added another disturbing layer, as it raised concerns about radicalisation being normalised in front of young minds.
Taking the matter seriously, the Uttar Pradesh Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 15 individuals, including Maulana Rehan Raza Khan. The FIR invokes sections related to promoting enmity between different religious groups, incitement, and public mischief.
Puranpur Circle Officer (CO) Pratik Dahiya, in a statement to the media, confirmed the arrest, “We have taken Maulana Rehan Raza Khan into custody. His statement was communal and inflammatory in nature. A case has been filed against him and others involved. Such acts will not be tolerated under any circumstances. They vitiate the social atmosphere and pose a threat to peace.”
The Maulana was arrested and taken for questioning on October 9 evening. Police officials have confirmed that he is being interrogated about the context of the video, the audience involved, and any network behind the circulation of the hate-filled footage online.
Across Pilibhit district and adjoining areas, residents have reacted sharply to the Maulana’s remarks. Locals held spontaneous gatherings demanding strict punishment for the cleric, asserting that no religious leader has the right to insult an entire faith or community.
“We live peacefully here. Such statements are made to destroy that peace,” said Ramesh Chandra, a trader in Sehramau. “If someone had said the same thing against another community, there would have been outrage across the country. Why this silence when Hindus are insulted so openly?”
The anger was palpable among villagers, particularly among parents who were shocked that children had been present when the Maulana made his speech. “He was teaching hate, not faith. Religious leaders are supposed to build bridges, not burn them,” said another local, adding that people who spread such poison must face the harshest legal punishment.
The short but explosive video clip shows the Maulana addressing a gathering, confidently proclaiming that he “keeps 80 crore Hindus at his feet.” Within hours of being uploaded, it began circulating widely on X, Facebook, and Instagram, with netizens tagging the Uttar Pradesh Police and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s office, demanding immediate action.
The language used in the clip, as per initial police findings, falls under hate speech, a punishable offense under sections of the Indian Penal Code related to promoting enmity between groups and hurting religious sentiments.
Social media users expressed disbelief and anger that such statements could be made so casually by a religious figure. Many pointed out that this incident reflects a pattern of impunity among certain extremist preachers who publicly mock and demean Hindu beliefs while hiding behind the shield of religious identity.
Over the past few years, Bharat has witnessed several cases where clerics and religious preachers have made incendiary remarks targeting Hindus, Hindu gods, or national symbols. Often, these comments are justified under the guise of “freedom of speech,” while those calling for accountability are accused of intolerance.
In several such cases, videos have surfaced showing radical clerics making communal statements ranging from mocking Hindu customs to issuing veiled threats. The Pilibhit case, however, stands out for its sheer audacity, an open declaration of dominance over 80 crore Hindus.
Since 2017, the Uttar Pradesh government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken a zero-tolerance stance toward hate speech and communal incitement. The Pilibhit arrest underscores the administration’s intent to maintain peace and prevent any attempt to disturb harmony under the guise of religion.
Authorities have tightened surveillance in the Sehramau area to prevent retaliation or unrest. Police patrols have been intensified, and social media monitoring units have been directed to flag any attempts to communalize the situation further.
The Pilibhit Police have also warned that anyone found sharing edited or provocative versions of the Maulana’s video to inflame tensions will face strict cybercrime action.
The incident exposes a disturbing reality a segment of radical preachers continues to target Hindus with open hostility, often confident that they can escape accountability. While Bharat prides itself on being a pluralistic nation, such unchecked rhetoric poses a long-term risk to its social fabric.
Legal experts note that the Pilibhit case could set an important precedent if prosecuted effectively. “This is not just a case of one offensive remark—it is about protecting constitutional values. Hate speech of this kind attacks the dignity of an entire faith community,” said a senior advocate from Lucknow.
Police have begun digital forensics to trace how the video spread across social media and who first uploaded it. Authorities suspect that a few individuals present at the event might have filmed and circulated it deliberately to provoke reactions or gain attention.
Investigators are also examining whether the Maulana’s comments were part of a larger organised pattern of hate propagation, with links to any ideological or political groups that thrive on communal discord. Meanwhile, public sentiment remains strong in Pilibhit, with locals calling for an example to be set. “If he can insult 80 crore people in one sentence, the law must respond with equal firmness,” a villager said.
