A massive protest erupted outside Delhi's Jama Masjid after Friday prayers against the controversial remarks made by BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma against Prophet Mohammed.
The protesters demanded the arrest of Nupur and Naveen Jindal, former head of the Delhi BJP's media unit. Scores of people, carrying placards, shouted slogans against her. There was heavy security deployment to manage the situation and avoid any untoward incident.
According to senior police officers, the protest was held peacefully on the stairs near gate number one of the mosque, and it lasted for around 15 to 20 minutes. The protesters were dispersed from the area later. However, following the protest, most of the shopkeepers closed their establishment. After the protest Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari distanced himself from the demonstration saying "nobody knows who the protesters are" and demanded action against them.
"After namaz, around 40-50 people staged a protest shouting slogans of different kinds and showing posters.
There was no announcement for a protest from Jama Masjid. Nobody knows who those people were because thousands had gathered for the Friday prayers," Bukhari said.
The cleric said several people had contacted him seeking clarity about the protests and shutting of shops in the area to condemn the remarks against the Prophet. "… but I advised them to desist from such action and maintain peace. Delhi Police can probe who the protesters were because there was no permission for the demonstration," he said. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central district, Shweta Chauhan, around 1,500 people had gathered at the mosque for Friday prayers. When the prayers ended peacefully, some people came outside, started showing placards and shouted slogans.
Some others also joined them later and the numbers went up to around 300. Police deployment always remains at Jama Masjid during Friday prayers.
“The protesters were dispersed within 10 to 15 minutes and the situation is peaceful. Legal action will be taken regarding the incident as per law. We have identified some of the miscreants and our teams are working to identify others,” said the DCP. Even after the protesters were dispersed, teams of the police and the CISF continued to be deployed in the area. According to protestors, Nupur Sharma should be arrested. “I will keep protesting until she is put behind the bars. How dare she disrespect our religion," questioned 57-year-old Baba Mastan, who was part of the protest.
Mohammad Fahad (59), a shopkeeper, said, "The protest started at 2 pm. They were dispersed by the police within 15-20 minutes. It was a peaceful protest."
The row over the alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad escalated on Sunday with protests from countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran, prompting the BJP to take action against its functionaries and assert that it respects all religions.
As the row intensified domestically and abroad, the BJP on Sunday suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled Jindal. The Delhi Police has registered an First Information Report (FIR) against 31 people, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand, and filed a separate case against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments.
The two FIRs were registered on Wednesday after a social media analysis, the police officials had said. Former Delhi BJP media unit head Naveen Kumar Jindal, who was expelled from the party over his alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammad, and journalist Saba Naqvi have been named in the FIR.
“Police have registered FIR against those who were spreading messages of hate, inciting various groups and creating situations which are detrimental to maintenance of public tranquility,” said Suman Nalwa, spokesperson of Delhi Police.
“One case has been registered against Nupur Sharma and another one has been registered against multiple social media entities based on the analysis. Notices will be sent to the social media intermediaries for the details,” she added.
