Lucknow: Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, the controversial Hindu seer and mahant of the Dasna Devi Temple, has been detained by police in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, following inflammatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed. The incident occurred during an event at Hindi Bhavan in Lohia Nagar, Ghaziabad, on September 29, where Narsinghanand allegedly made blasphemous comments that went viral on social media, leading to widespread outrage.

A First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Narsinghanand under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, accusing him of hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslim community. The FIR was lodged on Thursday after a police officer from the Sihani Gate police station filed a complaint.

The remarks prompted violent protests in several cities across Uttar Pradesh, including Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar, and Aligarh, as well as other parts of the country. Following Friday prayers, hundreds of protesters took to the streets, demanding strict action against Narsinghanand. The situation escalated in Bulandshahar, where a police station was attacked, and heavy stone-pelting occurred. Eight individuals were detained in connection with the violence.

In Ghaziabad, tensions rose when a large crowd gathered outside the Dasna Temple, where Narsinghanand was present, raising slogans against him. The police detained the seer and placed him in the Ghaziabad Police Lines, though officials have yet to confirm the action publicly.

The police, supported by the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), conducted flag marches in sensitive areas and deployed additional forces in several towns to maintain order. Senior Muslim clerics, including Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangimahali, president of the Islamic Centre of India, condemned the remarks and called for severe action against Narsinghanand.

This is not the first time Narsinghanand has faced legal trouble for hate speech. In 2022, he was arrested for delivering inflammatory statements, and in December 2021, he urged Hindus to arm themselves during a controversial gathering at the 'Dharm Sansad' in Haridwar.

Further investigation is underway, and authorities have assured that strict measures will be taken following a detailed examination of the viral video.