Action Sought Against Hate Speech in Dehradun; Social Groups Warn of Mass Protest

Memorandum Submitted to DM and SSP, Demanding Strict Action Against Communal Hate Speech and Arrest of All Accused in Beragiwala Murder Case

Dehradun | By Amaanullah Usmani

Representatives of several social organisations and political parties on Monday met Dehradun District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Doval, demanding strict legal action against individuals allegedly spreading communal hatred in the district.

The delegation claimed that six to seven individuals have been repeatedly delivering inflammatory speeches and spreading hate through public platforms and social media. They warned that if prompt action is not taken, they will launch a large-scale public protest.

District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan said this is his first posting in Dehradun and assured the delegation that he would gather all relevant information and direct the police to take appropriate legal action against anyone found violating the law.

SSP Pramendra Doval informed the delegation that a criminal case has already been registered against one of the accused individuals and that investigations are underway. He added that action against other alleged offenders would also be initiated based on available evidence.

The delegation alleged that despite clear video footage of hate speeches delivered at various locations from Kotdwar to Beragiwala, police have often registered FIRs against “unknown persons” instead of naming those allegedly responsible.

A memorandum was also submitted demanding the immediate arrest of all accused in the Beragiwala murder case involving Vinod Kumar and the strictest possible legal action against them.

The memorandum further alleged that following the murder, certain communal elements attempted to disturb public peace by making provocative speeches, spreading hatred, and allegedly inciting violence. The delegation argued that such statements pose a serious threat to communal harmony and public order.

The representatives also referred to a Supreme Court directive, which observed that in cases involving hate speech, particularly in Uttarakhand, the police should not wait for formal complaints but must register FIRs suo motu whenever cognizable offences are evident. They expressed concern that despite publicly available evidence, several recent cases have still been registered against unidentified persons rather than those allegedly responsible.

The delegation included Kamla Pant, Nirmala Bisht, Vimla Koli, Manju Balodi (Uttarakhand Mahila Manch); Hari Om Pali and Trilochan Bhatt (Uttarakhand Insaniyat Manch); Kamlesh Khantwal (Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti); Rajendra Shah (Chetna Andolan); Indresh Maikhuri (CPI-ML); Rajendra Purohit (CPM); Sujata Paul (Congress); Pawan Kshetri; Talafat Hussain; Manish; Almashuddin Siddiqui, and several other social and political activists.