The Delhi Police has registered an FIR over complaints that former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma was receiving threats for her controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammed, officials said on Monday.
“Based on the FIR, we have initiated a probe into the matter,” a senior police official said.
According to officials quoted by PTI, the FIR has been registered under IPC sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence), 506 (criminal intimidation), 507 (Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) against unknown people.
The BJP on Sunday suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal as the row over their alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed escalated with protests from some Muslim countries.
Amid demonstrations by Muslim groups and the sharp reaction from countries like Kuwait, Qatar and Iran, the BJP issued a statement asserting that it respects all religions and strongly denounces insults of any religious personality.
Sharma’s comments, made in a TV debate nearly 10 days ago, and Jindal’s now-deleted tweets sparked a Twitter trend calling for a boycott of Indian products in some countries.
After the action, Sharma unconditionally withdrew her controversial statement made in the TV debate and claimed that her comments were a reaction to “continuous insult and disrespect towards our Mahadev”‘ (Lord Shiva).
A communication to Sharma from the BJP’s disciplinary committee said she had expressed views contrary to the party’s position on various matters, which is in clear violation of its constitution.
“Pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities, assignments if any, with immediate effect,” it said.
Amid demonstrations by Muslim groups and the strong reaction from countries like Kuwait and Qatar, the BJP issued a statement asserting that it respects all religions and strongly denounces insult of any religious personality.
Sharma’s comments, made in a TV debate nearly 10 days back, and Jindal’s now-deleted tweets, sparked a Twitter trend calling for a boycott of Indian products in some countries, while Qatar and Kuwait summoned the Indian ambassadors and handed over to them protest notes on what the Gulf countries called categorical “rejection and condemnation” of the controversial remarks of the BJP leader against Prophet Muhammad.
The foreign ministries of the two Gulf countries welcomed the statement issued by the ruling party in India in which it announced the suspension of the leader.
Incidentally, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu is currently on an official visit to Qatar.
The Indian Ambassador in Qatar said in a tweet that the controversial tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the government of India.
“These are the views of fringe elements,” the Indian Embassy quoting him said.
With its members’ comments stoking protests in the country, including violence in Kanpur, and causing ripples abroad, the BJP swung into action to control the damage as it tried to assuage the concerns of minorities and distanced itself from these members.
Before cracking the whip on the two members, the ruling party also issued a statement underscoring its respect for all religions and their revered figures.
Party general secretary Arun Singh said in a statement that the party is strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion.
The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy, he said.