Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested a 38-year-old cleric from Bihar for making objectionable remarks about the mother of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a public meeting held in 2024. The action was initiated after a video of the speech recently surfaced on social media and triggered public outrage.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Salim Qasmi, also known as Maulana Abdul Salim Chaturvedi, is a resident of Jokihat in Bihar’s Araria district and serves as a cleric at a local mosque. According to police officials, cases have been registered against him in the Balrampur and Bahraich districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Amit Pathak, Inspector General of Police, Devipatan Range, said the FIRs include charges related to promoting enmity between groups, deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious sentiments, and statements conducing to public mischief.
The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) detained the cleric from Bihar’s Purnia district and brought him to Uttar Pradesh for further legal proceedings. He was later produced before the authorities in Bahraich and sent to judicial custody. Officials confirmed that after brief questioning, he was lodged in the Bahraich jail.
After nearly 30 minutes of questioning at the police station, he was escorted to jail. The Maulana appeared visibly frail, limping, slightly hunched, and needing support from police personnel as he walked. He was also seen wearing a mask, adding to the subdued scene.
The controversy stems from remarks made during a religious gathering in Bihar in the month of Ramadan. The video clip of the speech surfaced recently and led to complaints being filed in multiple districts. On March 8, a complaint was filed at Bahraich Kotwali by Ajit Pratap Singh, district president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s legal cell.
Following his arrest, a video emerged in which the cleric is seen apologising. He stated that objectionable remarks were made during his speech and expressed regret, saying such statements should not have been made. He also appealed for maintaining communal harmony and avoiding language that could hurt sentiments.
At the same time, the cleric has claimed that the viral video was edited and taken out of context. His supporters have called for an impartial investigation into the matter.
Bihar MLA Akhtar-ul-Iman confirmed the arrest and said that STF officials informed him that due legal procedure was followed in taking the cleric into custody.
