Protests over Indian BJP official’s objectionable remarks about Prophet

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s objectionable remarks about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have triggered protests in India as well as abroad.

She had made the remarks during a television debate on an English channel on the Gyanvapi mosque issue, which has been one of the biggest talking points in India of late.

According to an Instagram post by Al Jazeera, a hashtag has been launched in Arab countries in protest against the remarks made by the BJP spokesperson.

Activists expressed their support for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and called for a boycott of Indian products in light of the hate campaign against Muslims, Al Jazeera said.A number of cases have been filed against Sharma at different places in India, according to media reports.

She was booked under sections 295A, 153A and 505B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in Mumbai after a complaint by Raza Academy, an organisation of Indian Sunni Muslims, for her “remarks on the Holy Prophet on a national channel”.

A case was also filed against Sharma under sections 153(A), 504, 505(2) and 506 of the IPC at Cybercrime Police Station in Hyderabad on a complaint by a police official.A Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader also filed a case against her at the Kondhwa police station in Pune.

The remarks led to protests in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, with calls to close shops and markets leading to clashes between different groups. Heavy security has been deployed in the city to maintain law and order, with several arrests made.

In Maharashtra, hundreds of protesters from the NCP held a protest in front of Darul Falah mosque in Mumbra.

Activists of the Nationalist Youth Congress, under the guidance of state housing minister Dr Jitendra Awhad and city president Anand Paranjape, Kalwa-Mumbra youth president and former opposition leader Shanu Pathan led the protest.

Pathan said: “The Maharashtra government should enact a special law to take stern action against those who are insulting the great personalities for their own benefits.”The protesters demanded the immediate arrest of Sharma.