Complaint seeks FIR for hate speech against public figure
Shimla, Nov 20,
A complaint has been filed with the Superintendent of Police, Shimla, demanding immediate registration of an FIR and strict legal action against public figure Ajay Shyam for allegedly delivering hate speech during a public event held on November 17 at Kyara near Theog. The complaint, submitted by Atul Sharma of Kasumpti, alleges that Shyam’s comments were not only derogatory towards the Brahmin community but also amounted to an intentional attempt to incite communal disharmony, violate religious sentiments, and disrupt public order.
Sharma’s representation describes the matter as a “Declaration of Cultural Emergency,” asserting that the remarks were delivered openly in the presence of schoolchildren, thereby “polluting the minds of minors” and violating the moral fabric of the education system. The complaint reproduces the alleged speech in full, claiming it targets core Hindu/Sanatani beliefs related to rituals surrounding death and last rites.
The complainant has attached social media links from Facebook, asserting that these videos constitute irrefutable evidence of a deliberate and calculated attack on the “spiritual and cultural heritage” of the Brahmin community. The letter further alleges that Shyam, through his public platform, engaged in “historical revisionism” and “venomous calumny” that caused deep emotional and religious injury to a large section of the population.
Sharma has invoked several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, alleging that the accused’s statements fall under the purview of offences relating to promoting enmity, insulting religion, disturbing public tranquility, and intentionally provoking groups. These include BNS 297 (deliberate and malicious acts hurting religious sentiments), BNS 300 (uttering words intended to wound religious feelings), BNS 195 (promoting enmity between groups), BNS 351 (statements causing public mischief), BNS 350 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), and BNS 196 (assertions prejudicial to national integration).
The complaint stresses that the Supreme Court has repeatedly directed police authorities to register FIRs suo motu in cases of serious hate speech, arguing that any delay would amount to dereliction of constitutional duty. It demands the “swift and decisive arrest” of Ajay Shyam.
Sharma concludes by insisting that hate speech is a crime against society, and that the onus now lies on the police to take immediate and deterrent action to protect communal harmony and uphold the law. Authorities are yet to issue an official response on the complaint.
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