Protest erupts at Jama Masjid with demand to punish BJP leaders for insulting Prophet
New Delhi, June 10 : The otherwise non-chalant atmosphere of Jama Masjid turned chaotic on Friday as hundreds of devout started a sudden protest demanding arrest of BJP leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal for making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad.
The protest erupted outside Jama Masjid right after Jumu’ah Nammaz (Friday prayers).
Eyewitnesses said that a large group of men raised placards and shouted slogans against the ousted BJP spokesperson and demanded Delhi Police to take strict action against them.
“After few minutes, the protesters came outside and gathered on the main entrance of Masjid. However, police dissuaded them later,” Miraz Ansari, who works at a popular Kabab joint opposite the Masjid and was present during the Friday prayers, told UNI.
The whole demonstration was carried out peacefully and lasted for only 20 minutes since the police took control of the situation and dispersed the crowd from the spot, locals said.
Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari said the protest was spontaneous and not orchestrated by the Mosque.
“We don’t know who organised it, that is something for the government to find out,” he told UNI, adding that some of the devout who attended the Friday prayers, had come with hand-written posters tucked in their pockets.
Abdul Samad Khan, member of Pace Committee in Jama Masjid area, also said that the agitators carried posters inside their bags and pockets and started displaying them before the downstairs to the main entrance of Masjid.
Meanwhile, the peace committee members and the locals said that they couldn’t identify the protesters.
“One thing is sure, they were not from the locality. I know everyone in this area and they were not part of the protest,” Khan told UNI.
However, police said that action will be taken against those involved in the protest. “We are trying to identify them. The permission was not sought for the protest, so legal action will follow,” a senior police officer present on the spot said.
The statements by now ousted BJP member Nupur Sharma against the Prophet have resulted into repercussions internationally as well as back at home.
The aftermath led to scattered protests at several Masjids in different cities of UP, besides Hyderabad and Kashmir after Friday prayers.
Around 16 Islamic nations have officially denounced India for the statements made by Sharma and Jindal whereas domestically, civil societies and Islamic organisations have been registering their protest for the past many days.
With uni inputs
