Mumbai: Hindu groups have filed complaints with the police against activist Teesta Setalvad and her Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), for allegedly misusing the police mechanism to file false complaints against Hindu organisations and leaders to obstruct their meetings.
A complaint was filed with Additional Commissioner of Police (Law & Order), Satyanarayan Chaudhary, on Wednesday. Apart from the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, Bhumiputra Social Organisation, Manav Seva Pratishthan, Shri Parshuram Tapovan Ashram (Vasai), Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, and Rashtrabhakt Adhivakya Samiti, are signatories in the complaint.
Balwant Pathak, Mumbai District Coordinator of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, said that Setalwad had filed a complaint at Mahim police station against the meeting held by the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, an association of temple trusts, at Shirdi in December 2024. "The objective of the complaint was to disrupt the meeting though there was no law and order problem," said Pathak.
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has demanded an investigation into the funding for the work done by organisations like CJP and whether the 'deep state' and 'urban Naxals' are involved in disrupting meetings organised by Hindu organisations.
The group said that they have planned meetings in February and March in Vikhroli, Navi Mumbai, and Virar to discuss issues concerning Hindus. "We suspect that there will be false complaints to disrupt the functions," added Pathak.
The complaint said that there are accusations against Setalvad for presenting false evidence in court, manipulating witnesses for false testimony, financial mismanagement, and misappropriation of foreign funds. The complaint says that the false cases constitute harassment and a violation of the fundamental rights of Hindu organisations, including their freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution.
Copies of the complaint have been sent to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the Home Secretary, and the Senior Police Inspector of the Mahim Police Station.
In their response to the complaint by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, CJP said their work involves upholding the values of the constitution. "We have committed no crime and our hate watch programme makes reasoned complaints, transcribing speeches and using recent directives of the Honourable Supreme Court to urge the police to take preventive and other steps —by law- to preserve social harmony and prevent any escalation of violence," Setalwad, Secretary, CJP, said in a statement to this newspaper
"We are not anti any community and respect freedom of religion of all individuals and groups. We are however critical of hate speech emanating from anywhere," Setalwad added.
