Nationwide protests erupt over swelling Prophet row
NEW DELHI/RANCHI/MUMBAI/ SRINAGAR/LUCKNOW: Thousands of people took part in largely peaceful protests that erupted across the country against inflammatory speeches made by now-removed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionaries, Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, against Prophet Mohammad.
Members of the muslim community came out on the streets in several cities of Uttar Prdaesh, New Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. While the demonstrations were peaceful at most places, sporadic incidents of stone pelting were reported from some cities in UP, and tyres were burnt in Kolkata, according to reports.
In the Capital, a massive peaceful protest and sloganeering 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 given by the mosque authorities. The initial protest had lasted for about half an hour, following which the protesters dispersed. They later gathered again.
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.”
Protests were also held in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Deoband, Firozabad and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh over the issue. In Saharanpur, locals staged protest and tried to march towards the Ghantaghar after Friday prayers in the Nawabganj area. Police resorted to baton-charge