In an update to the case regarding Ramgiri Maharaj who made alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad last week in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to Thane IPS Ashutosh Dumbare. This is after several videos went viral on social media from the Mumbra region in which minors could be seen raising ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans against Ramgiri Maharaj.
“The Commission came across a video on platform X wherein minors could be seen taking part in the protests against Ramgiri Maharaj. The children were seen shouting slogans for the beheading of Ramgiri Maharaj,” the NCPCR said in an official statement.
It further asked the administration to identify such children and produce them before the Child Welfare Committee. It also suggested organizing necessary counselling to be given to the children involved ensuring their psycho well-being and behaviour. The commission also stated that FIR be filed against all the perpetrators involved.
It is important to note that alleged derogatory comments by Ramgiri Maharaj sparked outrage amongst the Islamist community and led to massive protests in the state of Maharashtra and other parts of the country. The protestors demanded a beheading punishment for the Hindu saint. Several videos of the violent protests went viral on social media with the Islamists yelling slogans of ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’.
Protests happened in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, Pune, Thane, Mumbai, Chhatarpur, etc. However, the one that happened in the Mumbra region of Thane was taken cognizance of by the NCPCR as several minor children could be seen raising beheading slogans against the Hindu saint.
Islamists raise ‘#Sar_Tan_Se_Juda’ slogans across India against Ramgiri Maharaj.
— शून्य 🚩 (@DecentEvil_007) August 23, 2024
'Arey Maula, Maula Kya Chahiye, Gustaq -e Nabi ka sar chahiye' shouted Islamists in Mumbai.
Ramgiri Maharaj had said, "How can a 50 year old man marrying a 6 year old child be anyones ideal.'
1/2 pic.twitter.com/AE4ZSCBYvw
Violent slogans were also raised outside the collector’s office in the Pune district where alleged minors could be seen raising slogans of ‘Allah Hu Akhbar’ and ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’.
"Peaceful" Mob outside Pune Collector's office demanding Bеh€ading of Hindu saint Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj chanting "Allah Hu Akbar" "S@r Tan se Juda"#MahantRamgiriMaharaj pic.twitter.com/dS1sh2Xt34
— Rosy (@rose_k01) August 24, 2024
As reported earlier, Saint Ramgiri Maharaj during a sermon in Panchale village of Nashik’s Sinnar region on Friday, 16th August, allegedly passed derogatory comments on Prophet Mohammed, enraging the entire Muslim community. The Hindu saint during the sermon indicated that several Islamists have disrespected women in the past because of the religious doctrine they follow.
You kept quiet during Nupur Sharma times… don't be silent this time.
— Sameet Thakkar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@thakkar_sameet) August 17, 2024
Speak up !
Ramgiri Maharaj has just stated fact.#IsupportRamgiriMaharaj pic.twitter.com/LrvWDDxXLX
After this, several Islamists filed a police complaint against Ramgiri Maharaj in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, Mumbai, and Pune, alleging that the Hindu saint had deliberately made such comments. Apart from Islamists, several political leaders like NCP’s Jitendra Awhad, AIMIM’s Imtiaz Jaleel, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi led by Prakash Ambedkar also commented on the matter criticizing Ramgiri Maharaj.
However, State CM Eknath Shinde made it clear that the state has a great tradition of saints and it is operating only due to the good, positive blessings of the Saints. He also stated that no one shall dare to even think of harming the saints in the state.
Commenting on the current communal chaos, Ramgiri Maharaj stated to the media that he 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,” he said.
Later Ramgiri Maharaj in the sermon stated that Hindus should stand together against the oppression of Hindus, atrocities that they usually face at the hands of Islamists. “I said that we should be organized 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 could 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.
Ramgiri Maharaj explained the context in which he said whatever he said. He confirmed that he made the statement in the wake of ongoing atrocities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh at the hands of Islamists. However, the Islamist community in India happened to ignore the context completely and is now deliberately targeting the Hindu saint by spreading his edited video from the one-and-a-half-hour-long sermon.
Amid this, several Hindu organizations have extended support to Ramgiri Maharaj. The NCPCR has also taken cognizance of the event that involved minors. Further investigations into the case are underway.
