Islamists went on a rampage across the country yesterday after the Jumma Namaz (Islamic Friday prayers) reportedly against Nupur Sharma’s alleged blasphemous remark. The former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and her family had been receiving death, beheading, and rape threats. Similar threats forced Naveen Jindal’s family to leave Delhi.
Islamist violence was witnessed in Jharkhand’s Ranchi, Bengal’s Howrah, and Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. Close to a dozen policemen were injured in the Ranchi violence. Additional forces were deployed and even senior police officers were reportedly camping in the area.
Internet services have been suspended for three days by the Bengal government in Howrah District that witnessed violent protests. Passengers were inconvenienced by the protests at Dasnagar railway station on the Howrah-Kharagpur railway route. A BJP office was vandalized and torched in Howrah District’s Uluberia by rampaging Islamist mobs. The mobs also set police booths and vehicles on fire.
About 1500 people are reported to have gathered outside Delhi’s Jama Masjid. “Within 10-15 minutes, we managed to bring the situation under control. Protests were done on the street, without any permission so legal action will be taken,” said Central District DCP Shweta Chauhan.
Islamist violence was also seen across Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). There were massive protests in Srinagar’s Batmaloo and Shopian districts. There were similar scenes outside Hyderabad’s Mecca Masjid. Ludhiana’s Shahi Imam also provoked people to come on the streets following which protests were held across Punjab.
UP (Uttar Pradesh) police have arrested 136 persons in connection with violence and unlawful assemblies. According to ADG Law & Order Prashant Kumar, 45 from Saharanpur, 37 from Prayagraj, 20 from Hathras, 7 from Moradabad, 4 from Ferozabad, and 23 from Ambedkarnagar have been taken into custody by the UP police.
“All those who indulged in vandalization have been identified, cases being filed against them under serious sections. Procurement for all damages will be done; properties of the guilty will be seized under the Gangsters Act. No one will be spared,” Prashant Kumar told reporters.
UP’s Saharanpur was reportedly tense after tens of thousands of Islamists crowded the streets and marched towards the Saharanpur Ghantaghar. The police had to resort to mild lathicharge to disperse the mob. Similar scenes of Islamist mob rampage were witnessed in Moradabad, Firozabad, and Prayagraj. Islamists resorted to heavy stone-pelting on police forces in Prayagraj. The police had to resort to using tear gas and lathicharge to bring the situation under control.
While the Bengal and Maharashtra governments were seen soft-peddling (rather mollycoddling) ‘protestors’, UP CM Yogi Adityanath has ordered strict action against those indulging in vandalism and stone-pelting. “CM Yogi Adityanath begins a meeting with top officials over today’s incidents. The CM has given liberty and clear instructions to the officials to take stringent action against anti-social elements. Those who take the law into their hands will be taught strict lessons”, reads UP CMO’s official statement.
(Featured Image Source: OpIndia)
