Protests in Delhi, Moradabad, Saharanpur after Friday prayers over ‘insult’ to Prophet

New Delhi: Days after violent riots in Kanpur over alleged insult to Prophet Muhammad, the Muslim community again hit the streets in Delhi as well as in various parts of Uttar Pradesh to lodge protest against Nupur Sharma’s derogatory remarks.

Soon after Friday prayers in Delhi’s Jama Masjid, a huge gathering of people assembled on the streets and raised slogans against BJP’s Nupur Sharma. Many carried posters condmening BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma & Naveen Jindal while others indulged in slogan-shouting. Community leaders said that anything less than BJP spokespersons’ arrest won’t suffice and they must be put behind bars for making blasphemous remarks against Prohphet Muhammad.

#WATCH People in large numbers protest at Delhi’s Jama Masjid over inflammatory remarks by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma & expelled leader Naveen Jindal, earlier today

No call for protest given by Masjid, says Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid. pic.twitter.com/Kysiz4SdxH

— ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2022

The demonstrations and sloganeering was not limited to Delhi only. Their congragation after Friday prayers was also seen at many places in Uttar Pradesh including Moradabad, Lucknow and Saharanpur.

Videos showed the Muslim community gathering on the streets and demanding the arrest of all those who made derogatory references to Prophet Muhammad, however, no violence has been reported from anywhere. They demanded from the government that all those committing blasphemy must be dealt with sternly and no mercy should be shown on them.

Anticipating trouble, the UP governemnt had imposed Article 144 in couple of districts, which prohibits assembly of more than 4 people at a place. Large number of policemen were deployed at sensitive areas to keep the law & order in check. Exercising restraint, the cops made extra effort in claming the protesters and making them disperse after the Friday prayers.

Following the protests over Nupur Sharma’s insulting remarks on Prophet, the BJP had suspended her and expelled Naveen Jindal from the party. However, this has failed to pacify the protesters as they are bent on strict punishment for affront to Prophet.

In Delhi’s Jamia Milia Islamia area, the demonstrators even carried an effigy of BJP spokespersons and demanded death penalty for them.