Following a protest by aides and supporters of Dasna temple head priest Yati Narsinghanand, who met with senior police officials at the Ghaziabad Police Lines on Monday, October 7, to inquire about the priest’s whereabouts, authorities stated that they are exploring a “conspiracy” angle related to the protest outside the Dasna Devi temple on the night of October 4. Police have ramped up their investigation and have, to date, arrested 13 individuals connected to the October 4 protest.
Protests flared up the day after police registered an FIR against Narsinghanand for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammed during a September 29 event at Hindi Bhawan in Ghaziabad. A video that supposedly showed Narsinghanand making these inflammatory comments gained significant traction on social media, leading to protests throughout the state. Police have indicated that they have initiated a suo motu FIR at Wave City police station related to the October 4 protests, identifying 100-150 unidentified individuals.
The FIR stated “About 100-150 persons gathered outside the Dasna Devi temple and were raising slogans against the remarks made against Muhammad Paigamber Sahab… When stopped, they resorted to stone-pelting and prevented discharge of official duties,”.
On Monday, a large number of Narsinghanand’s supporters gathered at Ghaziabad Police Lines to inquire about the priest’s location, asserting that the violence outside the temple on October 4 was a deliberate planned act.
The police reported that security has been strengthened at the temple complex. Furthermore, Surendra Nath Tewari, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rural Zone), indicated that 13 individuals have been arrested in connection with the October 4 protest, and investigations are underway to explore conspiracy and other factors related to the situation.
Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati has been reported “missing” since the night of October 4. His aides and supporters allege that the police took him away due to security concerns; however, the police have clarified that the head priest of Dasna temple, Yati Narsinghanand, is not in their custody.