Radical Leader Booked for Hate Speech, More Action to Follow

Nagpur: City police, taking no chances after the March 17 riots, have decided to act tough against hate speech during any protest or programme to pay homage to the Pahalgam terror attack victims. Apart from registering offences, the cops are also set to send out precautionary notices to leaders before their scheduled events, stating that any violations would attract penal provisions.
In the first such action, Bajrang Dal's Amol Thakare was booked for delivering a provocative speech during a protest meeting at Mahal earlier this week, condemning the attack. Thakare was booked by Kotwali police for violating the instructions issued prior to the event about not delivering any speech that may lead to communal disharmony and also creating a rift among the communities by hurting sentiments. The action was initiated after Thakare violated the precautionary notice issued under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to the event organiser, ensuring nothing transpired or was uttered in the meeting that may provoke or hurt the sentiments of other communities.
After the offence was registered, Thakare was summoned by CP Ravinder Singal, but he did not appear on the grounds of ill health. Sources said that Singal is likely to warn Thakare of his repeated involvement in provocative activities. "Police would not tolerate any hate speech, slur, or insult to any communities. Any attempt made to stir communal violence would be dealt with iron hands," said Singal.
It's learnt that Thakare was one of the key agitators against Aurangzeb's tomb at Mahal's Gandhi Gate on March 17, following which another community stepped out in protest against the desecration of holy cloth and burning of effigies. The riots that followed led to unrest in central Nagpur, with stone-pelting and other violence leading to injuries to around 40 people, including 34 cops.
Sources said that the police department has already stepped up vigilance at key strategic places and is also deploying multiple security layers and stepping up sector patrolling in areas where protests or homage programmes, including candle marches, are organised.