Protests were staged across several parts of the country, after Friday prayers over inflammatory remarks made by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal against Prophet Muhammad, which caused international outrage.
Protests and sloganeering broke out in Delhi’s Jama Masjid, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and Maharashtra, Jharkhand capital Ranchi, Navi Mumbai and elsewhere.
Jama Masjid of Delhi witnessed a massive peaceful protest and sloganeering attended by thousands of people, demanding the arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. However, the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid said no call for protest was given by the mosque authorities. The protests were later dispersed.
Delhi Police has said legal action would be taken against the demonstrators as there was no permission for the stir at Jama Masjid.
“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,” said Central District DCP Shweta Chauhan.
Massive protests also erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, Prayagraj, Deoband, Firozabad and Moradabad. Locals protested and tried to march towards the Ghantaghar after Friday prayers in the Nawabganj area in Saharanpur. The Police tried to disperse the crowd while the situation was tense. But it was brought under control.
In Ranchi, protests were called out demanding Sharma’s arrest which led to stone-pelting. The police resorted to baton-charged the protesters and also fired in the air to control the crowd.
Raza Academy in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi staged a demonstration at Muslim Chowk demanding the BJP leaders’ arrest
Protests also erupted at many places in Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar, Lal Chowk, Batamaloo and Tengpora.
In Punjab, Ludhiana’s Shahi Imam said after an agitation called by the Ludhiana Jama Masjid, protests were held across the state demanding the arrest of the suspended BJP leaders.
A large number of women took out a rally against the controversial remarks against the Prophet in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Massive agitations were also held in Tonk in Rajasthan.
Protests were also reported from several areas in the Old city of Hyderabad, including outside Mecca Masjid, over the issue. Police and CRPF were deployed in the said area.
In West Bengal, a huge crowd was gathered to protest at Park Circus in Kolkata against the controversial religious remarks by BJP leaders Sharma and Jindal.
(With inputs)
