- Protests were held after Friday prayers in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Deoband and Moradabad of Uttar Pradesh over the same issue. In Saharanpur, the agitation had turned tense and police resorted to baton-charge to bring the situation under control.
Protests and sloganeering were held after Friday congretational prayers in several parts of the country, including Delhi, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bengal, Jharkhand capital Ranchi and elsewhere over inflammatory speeches made by now-removed BJP functionaries against Prophet Mohammad.
In Delhi, a massive peaceful protest and sloganeering was held at the Jama Masjid demanding arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid said no call for protest given by the mosque authorities. 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 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 at the moment.
In Ranchi, an agitation demanding Sharma’s arrest led to stone pelting, following which police baton-charged the protesters. Police also 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.
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.
