Protests Erupted Across India over Nupur Sharma’s Remarks against Prophet Mohammad
Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, June 10: Massive protests erupted across the country on Friday, in several cases spontaneously, over adverse remarks against Prophet Mohammad by the suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and her former colleague Naveen Jindal that have triggered an international row. In several cities, the police had to resort to lathi-charge or some other measures to disperse the protesting crowd.
as and sloganeering were held after Friday congregational prayers in several parts of the country, including Delhi, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, Jharkhand capital Ranchi and elsewhere over inflammatory speeches.
A curfew has been imposed in some parts of Jharkhand’s capital city of Ranchi after some policemen were injured today while trying to control an irate mob near Hanuman Temple. Videos captured widespread stone-throwing and the police struggling to control the situation. The police had to fire in the air in to disperse the crowd.
Demonstrations were also taken out in Kolkata’s Park Circus area, neighbouring Howrah, near the Charminar in Hyderabad, Ludhiana, Ahmedabad, Navi Mumbai and several areas in Srinagar where large numbers of people gathered, marched, and raised slogans.
Internet services were snapped in the Bhaderwah and Kishtwar towns and Srinagar city of Kashmir as a precautionary measure. Mobile Internet was also suspended in parts of Kashmir, they said. Sporadic incidents of stone-pelting were reported in Bhaderwah town. Some people, violating restrictions, came out on the streets and threw stones at security forces while raising slogans.
In Delhi, a massive peaceful protest and sloganeering was held at the Jama Masjid demanding arrest of Nupur Sharma. The Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid said no call for protest was given by the mosque authorities. “We don’t know who started it. Some people shouted slogans after the Friday prayers and a large crowd gathered. They dispersed soon. Everything is fine now,” he said. The initial protest had lasted for about half an hour, following which the protesters dispersed. They later gathered again.
Protests were also held in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Deoband, Firozabad and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh over the same 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 to disperse the crowd. The situation was tense, but under control, the police said.
In Ranchi, an agitation demanding Sharma’s arrest led to stone pelting, following which police baton-charged the protesters. Vehicles were torched and vandalised and stone-pelting occurred, leading to injuries, even among some policemen. Police fired in the air to control the crowd. The incident occurred post Friday prayers near Daily Market, where shopkeepers were observing a day-long bandh over the issue. Later, a curfew was imposed in violence-hit areas.
In Saharanpur, 21 people were arrested for taking part in unauthorised protests after Friday prayers, district police chief Akash Tomar said in a statement. A massive crowd gathered in one area of the town and visuals shot by journalists showed shops being closed forcibly by protesters, and motorcycles overturned. The police could be seen chasing protesters. There were similar scenes in a locality in Moradabad too.
Violent clashes had erupted a week ago in Kanpur after two groups protested over controversial speeches made by Sharma at a television debate. The remarks have also led to international condemnation. The BJP has suspended Sharma and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Jindal over their remarks on the Prophet.
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.”
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.
Protests erupted at several places in Srinagar, including Lal Chowk, Batamaloo and Tengpora. Ludhiana’s Shahi Imam said after a protest call by the Ludhiana Jama Masjid, protests were held across Punjab 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, over the issue. Police and CRPF were deployed in the area. Agitations were also held in Rajasthan’s Tonk Sawai Madhopur.
