The Congress on Wednesday raised in the Rajya Sabha increased instances of hate speeches against minorities in the country, including controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand's call to Hindus to take up arms, according to the Press Trust of India.

Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge said he has given notice under rule 267 about instances of hate speech against minorities in the country and harassment of journalists from certain online media outlets, including Newslaundry, Quint and Article 14.

However, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu did not allow the issue to be raised under rule 267 and even ordered expunging from records the references to the alleged call by the priest for the killing of a particular minority community. “This shall not go on record. No community name will go on record,” Naidu said as leader of the opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought to raise the issue through a notice under rule 267 which calls for suspension of the business of the day to take up the issue being raised, according to PTI.

“Swamijis are giving instigating speeches from Haridwar to Delhi,” Kharge said in an ostensible reference to Narsinghanand's speeches. “On Sunday, one Swami said that all...(community name expunged on Naidu's order) should be butchered.”

Naidu said, “We should not quote his words if he has uttered a meaningless word. Again raising in the house and then having a discussion on who spoke what. That is not going to solve the problem. I have not allowed it…Nobody should indulge in hate speech against any community, minority, or majority.”

Naidu said he has not allowed notices by Kharge, Sushmita Dev, Luizinho Joaquim Faleiro and Mohammad Nadimul Haque under rule 267 on the issues of rising prices and instances of hate speeches. “They do not come under the purview of 267,” he said, adding, “Even if you give notices every day, if it is not worth to be taken up under that rule, I will not do it.”

Yati Narsinghanand, the head priest of the Dasna Devi temple, sparked yet another row on Sunday with his comment exhorting Hindus to take up arms. Seven journalists, including two associated with Newslaundry, were assaulted at the event in Burari. Four FIRs have been filed, including one against a journalist and a news outfit.