Lucknow: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers staged a protest on Sunday after an alleged objectionable remark was made against the mother of chief minister Yogi Adityanath.The protesters, led by BJP district president Ravi Kumar Mishra, demonstrated against Bihar-based cleric Maulana Abdul Salim and burnt his effigy while demanding strict legal action.According to party leaders, BJP workers first assembled at the party office before marching in a procession to Veer Vinay Chowk, where they raised slogans against the cleric and staged a demonstration. During the protest, the effigy of Abdul Salim was set ablaze amid strong condemnation of the alleged remarks.Sadar MLA Palturam said that the chief minister is not only the head of the state govt but also the Peethadheeshwar of the Gorakshapeeth. He described the alleged remarks against the CM’s mother as highly condemnable and said the statement has hurt the sentiments of people across the state.Tulsipur MLA Kailash Nath Shukla demanded strict action against the accused and warned that the agitation would intensify if stringent legal steps were not taken against those responsible.Meanwhile, the Kotwali Nagar police registered an FIR against Maulana Abdul Salim on the complaint of BJP district president Ravi Kumar Mishra. The complaint alleged that during a religious gathering, the cleric made objectionable remarks about the chief minister’s mother and attempted to provoke people against laws related to cow slaughter.Kotwali Nagar station house officer Manoj Singh confirmed that an FIR was registered under relevant sections on the basis of the complaint and that further investigation was underway.Superintendent of Police, Balrampur, Vikash Kumar, said that the cleric have been booked under BNS 352 (intentional insult) and 353(3) (statements conducing public mischief).
