UP police denies Narsinghanand's detention, suspense prevails

As controversy raged over Yati Narsinghanand's objectionable remarks against Prophet Muhammad, his supporters on Sunday alleged that the Dasna temple head priest is being illegally kept in detention by police, which denied the claim.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rural) N K Tiwari said that Narsinghanand has neither been arrested nor detained and the police are probing the case, following which action would be initiated as per law.

More FIRS were filed against the priest in other states including in Thane in Maharashtra and Telangana capital Hyderabad, while a protest in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur turned violent with stones pelted on Sheikhpura police post.

Several Muslim organisations have called for the arrest of the priest, and leaders of political parties like the BSP, the National Conference and the Samajwadi Party have also joined the chorus for strict action against him.

Meanwhile, leaders of several Hindu outfits met at the Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad, where Narsinghanand serves as the head, and expressed concern about his safety.

"The Hindu outfits and other social organisations expressed concern over the illegal detention of Maha Mandaleshwar Yeti Narsimahanand Giri,” General Secretary of Yati Narsimahanand Saraswati Foundation Udita Tyagi said in a statement.