The Hyderabad police arrested a BJP leader on Tuesday for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad. The video, in which Raja Singh, a legislator from Goshamahal, was seen making the comments was later pulled down by the social media platform on which it was uploaded. The BJP also suspended the MLA from the party.
Singh is known for his past controversial comments. Earlier this year, he had said “traitors” who did not vote for the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh will have repercussions after elections.
On Monday, the MLA released a video criticising stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui, who recently performed in the city. In it, Singh is seen allegedly making comments against Islam. He later announced that he would upload “part two” of the clip after his release from jail.
A complaint filed by one Mohammed Wajhi Uddin Salman with Dabeerpura police alleged that Singh had used vulgar language. Several people belonging to the community staged protests in various parts of the city on Monday night and demanded Singh’s arrest.
Many All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) legislators and corporators of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation reached police stations and sought action against Singh, party sources said.
According to the police, complaints were filed against Singh in several police stations under south, east and west zones.
A First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Singh under various sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs and criminal intimidation among others.
“This is the official policy of the BJP to ensure that Muslims are always tortured emotionally, mentally by allowing their party members to talk in such low language... This is a deliberate attempt by the BJP and they allowed their MLA to speak in this language,” AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said.
“They have not learned a lesson from what Nupur Sharma said. This is a continuation of what Sharma had said,” he said, referring to the suspended party spokesperson whose remarks sparked worldwide outrage.
“Why are there complaints? Our Ram is not Ram? I requested the DGP with folded hands not to allow the person [Munawar Faruqui] who made comedy using vulgar language against Ram and Sita,” Singh said during his arrest.
Meanwhile, Om Pathak, secretary of the party’s central disciplinary committee, asked Singh to “show cause” within 10 days from the date of the notice as to why he should not be expelled from the party.
