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Protest against India’s Ruling Party Spokespersons comment against Holy Prophet in Surrey
6-11-2022
On May 27th a Spokesperson of India’s Ruling Party BJP lead by Narendra Modi made defaming remarks on Prophet Muhammad PBUH and Ummul Mu'minin Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (RA) on live TV debate.
A suo-moto case under IPC sections 153(A) (Promoting enmity between two groups), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) 505(2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes) and 506 (criminal intimidation) has been registered against her.
P Ravindar, Sub-Inspector of Police cyber crimes in his complaint with the SHO Cybercrimes alleged that on a TV channel debate Nupur Sharma had used abusive words against the Prophet Mohammed PBUH insulting Islam.
The ruling party and the Govt. had been silent despite demands from Indian Muslims to take strict action against her and the TV channel and news anchor.
The alleged derogatory remarks have caused a stir abroad, especially in Arab countries which caused the BJP to issue a statement aimed at assuaging the concerns of minorities and distancing itself from these members, asserting that it respects all religions.
The BJP issued a half hearted statement on Sunday more than a week later and suspended Sharma and expelled the party's Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal.
Demands to arrest Times Now’s Navika Kumar have grown after the BJP suspended two of its spokespersons namely Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal for insulting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
TV viewers were left aghast to see no intervention from Navika when Sharma insulted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during her uninterrupted rant. Navika had later taken to Twitter to extend her support to Sharma when the latter approached the Delhi Police alleging threats to her life.
Times Now had deleted the video of its controversial broadcast and issued a clarification, distancing itself from the comments made by Sharma.
"Muslims are suffering a lot for the security and peace of the country, but any audacity (gustakhi) in the glory of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad Saheb is absolutely unbearable on which it is not possible to remain silent," Mohtamim (Vice-Chancellor) of Darul Uloom Deoband Maulana Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani said in a statement.
Maulana Nomani said that "Ours is a secular country which provides security to all religions, but in the past few years it has become common practice by communal elements to hurt religious sentiments and hurting the pride of eminent personalities." He alleged that religious figures and religious books are also being targeted due to which communalism is increasing in the country, which is harming the secular image of the country globally.
Police action has been questioned by many as similar hate speech has often been made both on TV and social media. The timing, right after over 16 countries slammed the remarks by the two BJP leaders, has also caused speculation. It is still unclear if the case was registered based on a complaint or if the cyber unit of Delhi Police's special cell took suo motu cognisance. However, police said the case was registered after social media analysis.
Several countries in the Gulf region had summoned Indian Ambassadors and conveyed their concerns about "growing extremism and hatred". Many have even demanded a "public apology" from New Delhi for the comments that were considered "Islamophobic".
On Friday June 6th a group of Muslims held a adhoc rally outside Indian Passport office in Surrey demanding Indian govt. to take strict action against Sharma and Jindal.
The BCMA had earlier also expressed its condemnation and denunciation of the statements made by the spokeswoman in a press release.
Muhammad Asad Gondal, President of The BC Muslim Association said, “Such actions by representatives of the Indian government are deeply troubling and risks the safety and security of over 200 million Muslims in India and billions around the world.
As we mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly attack on the Muslim family in London, Ontario, we are reminded of the work ahead to combat Islamophobia, racism and hate in Canada and around the world. This is the time of courage from our community and our leaders to take action on the global narrative to dehumanize Muslims.
We ask our community to join us in praying and working for the safety and security of our brothers and sisters.”
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