Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari Disqualified Following Hate Speech Conviction
Abbas Ansari's Disqualification from Assembly
Abbas Ansari, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Mau constituency in Uttar Pradesh and the son of the notorious gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, has been disqualified from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. This decision follows a court ruling that found him guilty in a case related to hate speech.
On Saturday, Chief Judicial Magistrate KP Singh sentenced Ansari to two years in prison, emphasizing that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right, it is not absolute.
“One cannot express anything at any time or place,” Live Law reported Singh stating. “Hate speech and provocative remarks have no place in politics, especially when they aim to incite disorder based on religion, which can influence elections.”
The conviction stemmed from remarks made by Ansari during an election rally in March 2022, where he threatened to “settle scores” with government officials post-elections.
Following his comments, the Election Commission imposed a 24-hour ban on his campaigning activities.
Ansari faced charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal intimidation and promoting enmity between different groups based on religion and race. The FIR also implicated over 150 individuals, including his brother Umar Ansari and election agent Mansoor Ahmed Ansari.
The court deemed Ansari's speech as a serious offense, noting that threatening senior officials during the Model Code of Conduct period instills fear among voters.
Subsequently, the Uttar Pradesh Assembly issued a notification confirming Ansari's disqualification and declared the Mau seat vacant. The principal secretary of the Assembly, Pradeep Dubey, stated that the Election Commission would be notified to arrange for a by-election.
Mukhtar Ansari, Abbas's father, has faced numerous legal challenges, with 65 cases against him. He has been incarcerated since 2005 following his surrender related to a communal riot in Mau.
On March 14 of the previous year, Mukhtar Ansari received a life sentence for his involvement in the Ghazipur fake arms license case, marking his seventh conviction in just 18 months.
Tragically, Mukhtar Ansari passed away in custody at Banda Medical College on March 28, 2024, due to cardiac arrest. Just a week prior, he had expressed concerns about his health, alleging that he had been served food contaminated with poison while in prison.