Parvez Parwaz, a 72-year-old former journalist and social activist who sought legal action over a speech delivered by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in 2007, died in Gorakhpur District Jail on Sunday while serving a life sentence in a separate gangrape case.
Gorakhpur District Jail officials said Parwaz had several health problems, including high blood pressure and diabetes. He reportedly developed breathing difficulties late Saturday night and was taken to the district hospital, where he died during treatment at around 2:50 am.
Parwaz had been in jail since September 2018 after a woman accused him and another man of gangrape. In July 2020, a district court sentenced him to life imprisonment in the case.
His death has brought renewed attention to his long legal battle over a speech delivered by Adityanath, who was then the Bharatiya Janata Party’s MP from Gorakhpur.
Parwaz Recorded Adityanath’s 2007 Speech
On January 27, 2007, Parwaz was passing near Gorakhpur railway station when he saw Adityanath addressing a gathering near a statue of Maharana Pratap. The city was tense following a clash during a Muharram procession in which a Hindu youth was injured and later died.
According to an account published by The Caravan, Parwaz recorded the speech with his camera. Adityanath was quoted as saying, “In the coming time, for the blood of one Hindu, we will not get an FIR registered against the administration, but will instead have at least 10 such people killed.”
The speech was followed by violence in parts of Gorakhpur. Reports said at least two people were killed and property worth crores of rupees was damaged during the riots.
Parwaz later sought legal action over the speech, alleging that Adityanath had incited violence. The allegations were contested, and the legal proceedings continued for years.
Legal Battle Over Hate Speech Allegations
Parwaz approached a local court seeking an investigation into Adityanath’s alleged role in the violence. The magistrate rejected his plea, citing the registration of an FIR in the case, according to reports.
He subsequently approached the Supreme Court. However, the legal challenge did not result in the proceedings he had sought before his own criminal case led to his imprisonment.
In 2018, Parwaz was arrested after a 40-year-old woman accused him and another man, identified as Mehmood alias Jumman Baba, of gangrape. A district court sentenced him to life imprisonment on July 28, 2020.
Jail Officials Cite Health Problems
Gorakhpur District Jail officials said Parwaz had been suffering from multiple health conditions and was taken to hospital after his condition deteriorated.
“He was battling health problems, including high blood pressure and diabetes. On Saturday night, he complained of breathing difficulty and was taken to the district hospital, where he died,” jail superintendent V.K. Pandey said, according to reports.
