Sadhus’ speeches seriously perturb us: Ex-Armed Forces Chiefs To President, PM

Ex-Armed forces chiefs, bureaucrats, social activists and many others have written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind and expressed their anger about the recent hate speeches made by Hindu Sadhus in the recent Dharma Sansad held in Haridwar.

They have said that they are seriously perturbed by the content of speeches made during a 3-day religious conclave called a Dharma Sansad, of Hindu Sadhus and other leaders, held at Haridwar between 17-19 December 2021.

“There were repeated calls for establishing a Hindu Rashtra and, if required, picking up weapons and killing of India’s Muslims in the name of protecting Hinduism. At about the same time, a large number of persons gathered in Delhi and publicly took an oath resolving to make India a Hindu nation, by fighting and killing if necessary, and more such seditious meetings are being organised in other places,” the letter said.

It added, “Regardless of which persons or parties initiated calls for such genocide, Government of India and the Judiciary, at the highest level, need to take urgent action. We cannot allow such incitement to violence together with public expressions of hate – which not only constitute serious breaches of internal security but which could also tear apart the social fabric of our nation.”

They have said that in the speeches one speaker made a call to the army and police to pick up weapons and participate in the cleanliness drive (safai abhiyan).

“This amounts to asking the army to participate in genocide of our own citizens, and is condemnable and unacceptable. In view of the current situation on our borders, any breach of peace and harmony within the Nation will embolden inimical external forces,” the letter said.

They have said that the unity and cohesiveness of our men and women in uniform, including the CAPFs and Police Forces, will be seriously affected by allowing such blatant calls for violence against one or the other community in our diverse and plural society.

Demanding action against these forces, they have said, “We therefore call upon the Government, Parliament and the Supreme Court, to act with urgency to protect the integrity and security of our country. The Constitution provides for the free practice of religion across faiths. We strongly deplore such polarisation in the name of religion. We urge you, Mr President and Mr Prime Minister, to take immediate steps to curb such attempts, and urge you to condemn such incitement to violence in no uncertain terms.”