The District Administration Doda imposed Curfew in Bhaderwah following protests over the insulting remarks against the Prophet by former BJP spokesperson, Nupur Sharma on a live TV show.
Massive protest rallies had been taken out from the Jamia Masjid of the main town of Bhaderwah in the Chenab valley area on Thursday during which slogans were raised against the Bhartiya Janta Party.
Locals speaking to The Kashmiriyat said that amid protests, a complete shutdown was observed in the Chenab valley area against the disrespectful comments made by the former BJP spokesperson.
“There has been no incident of discretion of temple anywhere today by the protesting Muslims. The only incident of discretion that happened was three days back and Police is investigating the matter. Social media users who have no clue about what is happening in Bhaderwah are spreading animosity against various groups who have co-existed for centuries in this region,” Abdul Rashid, a local said.
Pertinenly, media reports said that the temple of Shri Vasuki Nagraj Maharaj at Kailash Kund, Bhaderwah was vandalized by unknown persons a few days ago after which the Police lodged a complaint and is investigating the matter
“Some people in Jammu Kashmir want to disturb peace and brotherhood, administration should take strict action against them,” Moulana Ali, the President Muslim Development Society said.
He demanded action against Nupur Sharma and those including Ashish Kohli, a Jammu based social media user who expressed open support to the abusive spokesperson of the ruling Party BJP. “It is a shame that such self-claimed journalists rather than doing the job of reporting are spreading animosity against other religions,” a female protester said.
The Jammu Kashmir Police in Kishtwar had filed a FIR on Tuesday under relevant sections of the law against three people for propagating communal strife and driving a wedge between the two communities. The FIR, reportedly was filed after social media users expressed support for abusive comments against the Prophet of Islam.
So far, the names of two persons, BJYM State General Secretary Ashish Sharma and IKJUTT leader Er. Saparsh Parihar along with another Youth Anshuman Rathore has surfaced in the FIR.
Following the filing of a FIR, J&K Police in Kishtwar issued a warning to the general public, advising them to avoid from making any verbal or social media comments.
Meanwhile locals have been demanding the arrest of a Jammu-based social media user, Ashish Kohli, who was one of the first persons to promote the hashtag #ISupportNupurSharma.
Sensing communal tesnions in the area, the Jammu Kashmir Police have imposed a curfew in the area. “The situation is under control,” the Police said.