Nupur Sharma Episode II: Another BJP Leader Make Derogatory Remarks against Prophet Mohammad, Arrested, Suspended

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, Aug 23: Within hours of his arrest following strong protests over his alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad, the Central Disciplinary Committee of the BJP suspended its Telangana member of the state Assembly T Raja Singh and demanded his explanation in 10 days why he should not be expelled from the party.

Raja Singh was arrested by the police on Tuesday morning after hundreds of Muslims thronged the Hyderabad city police commissioner’s office on Monday night soon after he uploaded a 10-minue video on YouTube with derogatory remarks against the Prophet. In his police complaint, activist Wajihudiddin Salman said Singh used vulgar language against the Prophet in the video uploaded on a YouTube channel named “Sree Ram Channel, Telangana” late on Monday night.

The video was subsequently removed from the platform but Raja Singh told media persons after his arrest that he would upload “part II” of the video once he was released by the police.

A case was registered against Singh under various sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs, and criminal intimidation, among others, the police said.

Singh’s controversial comments come barely couple of months after former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma triggered a massive diplomatic backlash with her remarks on the Prophet. Following a public outcry and condemnation from various Islamic nations, BJP suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled from the party the Delhi media relations president Naveen Kumar Jindal. At least 10 criminal cases were also filed against Sharma across the country and the central government was forced to distance itself from her remarks to restore normal relations with the Arab world.

Protests broke out in front of city Police Commissioner CV Anand’s office and other parts of Hyderabad on Monday night. Many All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) legislators and corporators of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation reached the police stations, where protests were held and sought stringent action against T Raja Singh.

“Has it become their official policy that they aren’t satisfied with Nupur Sharma and they are making other MLAs say things? People are angry. People have tears in their eyes. Why are they saying things like this about Prophet Muhammad? Our demand is that the BJP should stop doing all this. People can see how much you hate the Prophet,” AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said.

Singh had released a 10-minute video allegedly making derogatory comments about Prophet Mohammad. Taking a swipe at comedian Munawar Faruqui, whose show he unsuccessfully tried to disrupt recently, he said it was a “comedy” video just like Faruqui’s alleged videos on Hindu gods. He asked why the insult of Ram and Sita could pass off as comedy but not of other figures revered by other communities.

During the arrest, Singh told reporters that his video was pulled down by the social media platform on which it was uploaded and that he will upload “part 2” of the clip after his release. “They removed my video from YouTube. I don’t know what the police are going to do. Once I am released second part (of the video) will certainly be uploaded. I am doing it for Dharma. I am ready to die for Dharma,” he said.

A huge crowd had gathered outside the Commissioner’s office and several other places in the city. Protesters were taken into custody and later shifted to various police stations. Raja Singh, the MLA from Goshamahal in the city, had tried to disrupt Faruqui’s comedy show last week last week and was on Friday taken into preventive custody by the police when he tried to reach the venue along with around 50 supporters to get it cancelled. The show then passed off peacefully.

Hours after he was arrested, the BJP issued his suspension letter signed by Om Pathak, Member Secretary, Central Disciplinary Committee. The party said Singh had expressed views contrary to the party’s position on various matters. The BJP’s disciplinary committee has also sought response from Singh by September 2 on why he shouldn’t be expelled from the party.