Arrest Nupur Sharma, Say Protesters In Delhi
FIRs are lodged across the country against suspended BJP spokeswoman Nupur Sharma (above) over her remark on the Prophet made during a TV debate show in May 2022
Protests erupted outside the Jama Masjid in Delhi after Friday prayers with hundreds of people demanding the arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad, police said.
A large crowd of people could be seen gathering at the steps of the famous mosque, some carrying placards and shouting slogans against Sharma.
A senior police officer said that while some of the demonstrators left the site after some time, others continued to protest peacefully for 10-15 minutes.
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against 31 people, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand, and filed a separate case against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments.
The two FIRs were registered on Wednesday after a social media analysis, they had said.
Former Delhi BJP media unit head Naveen Kumar Jindal, who was expelled from the party over his alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammad, and journalist Saba Naqvi have also been named in the FIR.
Meanwhile, some policemen were injured in Ranchi on Friday while trying to control an irate mob near Hanuman Temple, situated on Ranchi’s Main Road, after protests erupted with hundreds of people demanding the arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad, police said.
Police fired in the air besides resorting to lathi-charge to control the mob which spilled out onto the road after Friday prayers; the mob also pelted stones and shouted slogans. “Few policemen have been injured. We are looking into the situation. We are reinforcing deployment,” a senior police official told PTI.
According to police officials, the protest had begun in the morning and picked up tempo post-Friday prayers. Many shops and establishments kept their shutters down in protest against the remarks.
The row over the alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad escalated on Sunday with protests from countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran, prompting the BJP to take action against its functionaries and assert that it respects all religions.
As the row intensified within the country and abroad, the BJP on Sunday suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled Naveen Jindal. (PTI)
