FIR against BJP's Nupur Sharma for remarks on Prophet Muhammad
The Mumbai Police has filed an FIR against BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. A case has been filed in the Pydhonie Police Station in Mumbai based on a complaint against her by a religious organization. She has been charged with committing a malicious act to outrage religious feelings by insulting religion and promoting enmity between communities.
What exactly did Sharma say?
During a recent debate on the Gyanvapi Mosque row on a TV channel, Sharma stated that because Muslims were insulting the Hindu faith by calling the unearthed Shivling a fountain, certain aspects in their religious scriptures may be mocked as well. She then made a mention of Prophet Muhammad's marriage, too. Her remarks sparked uproar and elicited responses from religious organizations and political parties.
What charges were filed against Sharma?
As per officials, a case has been filed against Sharma under Sections 295A (hurting religious feelings), 153A (promoting enmity), and 505B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The complaint was filed by Raza Academy, a Sunni Barelvi organization of Indian Sunni Muslims, for her "remarks on the Holy Prophet on a national channel," the police said.
IAMC condemns Nupur Sharma's comments
J&K National Conference demanded FIR against Sharma
On Saturday, the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) demanded action against Sharma for her remarks. A provincial president of the Youth National Conference, Salman Ali Sagar, said the party was outraged by the BJP spokesperson's "blasphemous and insulting" remarks about Prophet Muhammad. He demanded an unequivocal apology from the BJP and the Centre for her remarks on the most sacred Prophet for Muslims.
Sharma alleges receiving death, beheading threats
Meanwhile, Sharma on Saturday alleged she was receiving death threats on social media as a result of her remarks. She claimed a tweet by the owner of the fact-checking website Alt News had tainted the mood by releasing a selected video from her debate. "Ever since, I've been receiving death and rape threats, including beheading threats against me and family members (sic)," she tweeted.
She blames tweets by fact-checking website for threats
"I've taken some threats and tagged the Police Commissioner & Delhi Police... In case there's any harm done to me/my family members Mohd Zubair, who I think is a proprietor of Alt News, is completely responsible (sic)," Sharma said in another tweet.
Complaint lodged in Hyderabad too
A complaint has also been filed against Sharma in Hyderabad by Mushtarika Majlis-E-Amal. The team met with Hyderabad Commissioner CV Anand and filed a complaint against both the Sharma and Times Now TV channel. "She used abusive, false and hurtful words against the Prophet and religion of Islam and hurt the feelings of Muslims," the complaint mentioned.
