New Delhi: A day after protests at Jama Masjid in the national capital against remarks by BJP leaders against Prophet Mohammad, Delhi Police have registered a case against protesters.
The June 10 protests had been described as “peaceful” in reports.
After Friday prayers, a crowd of people had gathered on the steps of the famous mosque. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans against now suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, former head of the Delhi BJP’s media unit, for their remarks on the Prophet, which have also landed India in an unprecedented diplomatic soup.
Similar protests took place across Indian cities. Two people allegedly died after police fired at Ranchi protesters. Prayagraj saw police action allegedly against prominent Muslim activists.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Shweta Chauhan told news agency PTI that a case has been registered under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code on Friday against the protesters and further investigation is underway.
The section pertains to disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant. NDTV has reported that a case has been filed under the Epidemic Diseases Act, a century-old law used to control the spread of diseases, which was recently brought back into public conversation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, the DCP had said, “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 in connection with the incident. We have identified some of the miscreants and our teams are working to identify others,” Chauhan said.
The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, has allegedly distanced himself from the protest. He reportedly said, “Nobody knows who the protesters were” and demanded action against the protesters, according to PTI.
This article first appeared on thewire.in
