Prophet comment: Protests break out in mosques after Friday prayers across India
Protests were held after Friday prayers in several parts of the country, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, over inflammatory speeches made by now-removed BJP functionaries against Prophet Mohammad.
In Delhi, a massive peaceful protest was held at the Jama Masjid demanding arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid said no call for protest was given by the mosque authorities.
There was heavy security deployment to manage the situation and avoid any untoward incident. According to senior police officials, the protest was held peacefully on the stairs near gate number one of the mosque, and it lasted for around 15 to 20 minutes. The protesters were dispersed from the area later.
“The protest was held near the gate number one of Jama Masjid. We demanded the arrested of Nupur Sharma for her remark on Prophet Mohammad. It was a peaceful protest, and people left the area after a while,” said Akram Qureshi, a resident of the area.
The Delhi Police said legal action would be taken against the protesters as there was no permission for the stir at Jama Masjid. Central District DCP Shweta Chauhan said, “Almost 1,500 people had gathered in Jama Masjid for Friday prayers. After the prayers, nearly 300 people came out and started to protest over inflammatory remarks by Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal. Within 10-15 minutes, we managed to bring the situation under control. Protests were done on the street, without any permission so legal action will be taken.”
Also read: Prophet remarks row still raging: Centre comes up with new statement
Protestors baton-charged in Saharanpur
In Uttar Pradesh. protests were held in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Saharanpur, Deoband, Firozabad and Moradabad. In Saharanpur, locals staged a protest and tried to march towards the Ghantaghar area after Friday prayers. Police resorted to baton-charge to disperse the crowd. The situation was tense, but under control at the moment, reports Hindustan Times.
In Prayagraj, according to some reports Allahabad ADJ was injured in the protest. Situation in the city is tense and additional forces have been deployed to avoid any untoward incident.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath asked police to take strict action against trouble-makers as stone-pelting broke out in various cities in the state. Senior officers were monitoring the situation from police headquarters.
In Bengal’s Howrah, demonstrators blocked blocked the National Highway connecting Howrah and the capital Kolkata. The protest was held despite an appeal by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Several vehicles were stuck on the highway for over four hours.
Violence in Ranchi
In Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi, hundreds of people gathered demanding Nupur Sharma’s arrest. The agitation led to stone pelting, following which police baton-charged the protesters. Police also fired in the air to control the crowd. The incident occurred near Daily Market, where shopkeepers were observing a day-long bandh over the issue. “More than 1,100 shops in the market were shut since morning in protest against remarks of Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal. We demand their immediate arrest,” New Daily Market Traders Welfare Association President Haji Md Hasim told PTI.
Some policemen were injured while trying to control the irate mob near Hanuman Temple, situated on Ranchi’s Main Road. Police fired in air besides resorted to lathi-charge to control the mob which spilled out on the road after Friday prayers and 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.
Protests across Punjab, Navi Mumbai
In Punjab, Ludhiana’s Shahi Imam said after a protest call by the Ludhiana Jama Masjid, protests were held across the state demanding the arrest of the suspended BJP leaders.
In Navi Mumbai, women took out a rally against the controversial remarks, while a large number of people carried out a protest march in Solapur.
The old city of Hyderabad also witnessed massive protests in several areas, including outside Mecca Masjid. Police and CRPF were deployed in the area. Agitations were also held in Rajasthan’s Tonk and Sawai Madhopur cities.
Violent clashes had erupted a week ago in Kanpur after two groups protested over controversial speeches made by Sharma at a television debate. 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.
Police files charges
The 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.
Also read: Delhi police names Nupur Sharma, Naveen Jindal, Saba Naqvi in FIRs for hate speech
The two FIRs were registered on Wednesday after a social media analysis, police officials 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.
