Offensive Texts Targeting Hindu Gods: Allahabad HC Asks How Sant Rampal’s ‘Anti-Hindu’ Books Reached the Public
The Allahabad HC demands UP government detail steps to curb incarcerated preacher Rampal's controversial book distribution
The Allahabad High Court at Lucknow Bench has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file a detailed affidavit explaining the measures taken so far to curb the circulation of allegedly anti-Hindu literature being written by self-styled Godman Sant Rampal, who is currently in jail.
The bench of Justice Shekhar B. Saraf and Justice Prashant Kumar passed the order on October 14, 2025, while hearing a petition filed by Hindu Front for Justice through its district co-convener Shivanshu Dwivedi and 17 others. The petitioners claimed that several organizations associated with the controversial preacher Rampal, currently incarcerated in Hisar Central Jail, were publishing and distributing offensive literature targeting Hindu deities.
The plea named Prachar Prasar Samiti and Sary Sangat (Hisar, Haryana), Kabir Printers (New Delhi), Naam Dan Centre of Ram Pal (Lucknow), and Rampal himself as respondents, along with State authorities. It alleged that these entities had been “deliberately and maliciously” promoting materials and online content designed to insult Hindu religious beliefs and incite communal tension.
The petitioners said that books, pamphlets, and social media posts emanating from these groups contained “grossly offensive and provocative language” against Hindu Gods and Goddesses and were being widely disseminated across platforms, including through online channels linked to Satlok Ashram. They argued that such activities violated provisions of law aimed at preserving communal harmony and amounted to an attempt to disturb public tranquillity.
The petition further claimed that despite multiple representations and reminders, the Uttar Pradesh government had not taken any prohibitory or punitive steps against the accused organizations. It contended that this failure represented a “clear abdication of constitutional responsibility,” urging the Court to compel the State to act.
During the hearing, court noted that the affidavit submitted on behalf of the State Home Department was “not complete in all respects” and failed to fully inform the Court about the measures taken to trace and seize the alleged publications or remove the online content.
The bench therefore directed the State to file a supplementary affidavit detailing the steps taken to locate the materials, seize them, and take down online content from platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Google.
Court emphasized that the supplementary affidavit must be filed by an officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and should include a comprehensive account of all investigative and enforcement actions.
The bench also allowed the petitioner’s request to implead Jailor of Hisar Central Jail as a new respondent in the case, noting the need to ascertain how the preacher who is currently behind bars was able to author or circulate such material.
“The newly added respondent is directed to inform this Court as to how respondent no.12 (Rampal) has managed to write and distribute these books while being incarcerated,” the order said.
The State has been directed to file the supplementary affidavit by October 28, 2025, and the petitioners may file a rejoinder by October 31, 2025. The matter will next be heard on November 4, 2025.
The petitioners were represented by Advocates Ranjana Agnihotri, Abhishek Dubey, and Utkarsh Pratap Singh.
Case Title: Hindu Front For Justice and 17 Others vs State of UP and 11 Others
Order Date: October 14, 2025
Bench: Justice Prashant Kumar and Justice Shekhar B. Saraf