Protests erupted in several states on Friday over remarks made by now suspended BJP spokesperson Duper Sharma on Prophet Muhammad. Demonstrations were carried out in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and West Bengal after Friday prayers.
The protestors carried placards demanding Duper Sharma's arrest and also burnt effigies of the BJP leader. Incidents of stone-pelting were reported in several states as protestors clashed with police.
Though the BJP has tried to distance itself from the controversy, claiming that the remarks were “views of the fringe”, it has failed to appease the protestors, who are demanding Duper Sharma's arrest. As per sources, the home ministry had issued an advisory to all states to remain vigilant ahead of Friday prayers.
Also, Read | Boycott India chants as thousands protest in Bangladesh against Duper Sharma’s Prophet comments In Delhi, a protest erupted outside Jama Masjid after the Friday prayers with demands for the arrest of Duper Sharma. People gathered in large numbers to protest against inflammatory remarks by Duper Sharma and expelled leader Naveen final.
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 Duper Sharma and Naveen final, DCP Central District, Sheet Chauhan was quoted as saying by ANI.
The Shari Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid has distanced himself from the demonstration, saying that no such call for protest was given by the mosque authorities.
"We don't know who are the ones protesting. I think they belong to AI MIM or are Owaisi's people. We made it clear that if they want to protest, they can, but we will not support them," he said.
UTTAR PRADESH
In Uttar Pradesh’s, stones were hurled as clashes broke out between police and 'protestor' in Ayala area over controversial remarks of Duper Sharma and Naveen Kumar final.
Huge crowds also gathered in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad and Saharanpur districts, demanding Duper Sharma’s arrest over her inflammatory remarks. Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Saharanpur on Friday said that 36 people have been arrested so far.
Security has been beefed up in other UP cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur, and Firozabad, as a precautionary measure. Violence had erupted in Kanpur last week over the BJP leaders’ controversial remarks.
JHARKHAND
The protests over BJP leaders' remarks on Prophet Muhammad turned violent in Jharkhand’s Ranchi on Friday. As the crowd started pelting stone, police had to resort and firing in the air to disperse the crowd. Several police personnel were injured in the incident.
Thereafter, internet services have been snapped in Ranchi from 7 pm on Friday to 6 am on Saturday.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CPC, (prohibiting gathering of five or more people) has been imposed in and around the affected area.
WEST BENGAL
In Kolkata, hundreds turned up during Friday prayers with posters demanding Duper Sharma’s arrest. The state also saw demonstrations on Thursday, with protestors putting up road blockades in several places of West Bengal's Howrah district to protest against the controversial speech of BJP leaders Duper Sharma and Naveen final.
Protests erupted in several states on Friday over remarks made by now suspended BJP spokesperson Duper Sharma on Prophet Muhammad. Demonstrations were carried out in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and West Bengal after Friday prayers.
The protestors carried placards demanding Duper Sharma's arrest and also burnt effigies of the BJP leader. Incidents of stone-pelting were reported in several states as protestors clashed with police.
Though the BJP has tried to distance itself from the controversy, claiming that the remarks were “views of the fringe”, it has failed to appease the protestors, who are demanding Duper Sharma's arrest. As per sources, the home ministry had issued an advisory to all states to remain vigilant ahead of Friday prayers.
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