Controversial Dasna priest Yati Narasinghanand said Thursday that the three-day World Dharma Sansad he had convened in Haridwar was cancelled after police intervened.
Narasinghanand, who is also the Mahamandaleshwar of Sripanchdashnam Juna Akhara, told reporters that police uprooted the tents at the venue and chased away the cooks who had gathered for the event. The police also posted a notice at the location prohibiting the assembly, he added.
Describing the police action as “goondaism” in the name of the Supreme Court, Narasinghanand said he would undertake a padyatra to the court on Saturday to protest.
“If what I have said about Islam or the Koran is wrong, I am ready to accept whatever punishment the Supreme Court gives me. But I will not allow anything wrong to happen, even if the Supreme Court puts me in jail for life,” Narasinghanand said. “Stating the truth does not constitute hate speech. Don’t I have the right to mourn the death of Hindus killed in Bangladesh or Pakistan?” he asked.
The Dharma Sansad was planned as a protest against alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and was set to be held at the Akhara headquarters in Haridwar.
Narasinghanand had been jailed about two years ago for allegedly delivering a hate speech against Muslims during another Dharma Sansad in Haridwar. He also wrote a letter in blood to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami earlier on Wednesday, accusing the police of pressuring him to cancel the event.
In his letter, Narasinghanand said Hindus had become second-class citizens in their own country. He also argued that permission was not needed for a small gathering within the Akhara premises, as the event was not intended to be held in a public place.