Protests, arrests and demolitions: What all has happened in the Nupur Sharma case
The protests and arrests refuse to die down in the Nupur Sharma case. The suspended BJP spokesperson, Nupur Sharma’s comments on Prophet Muhammad recently on a news channel triggered a massive international outrage after which the protests erupted in parts of UP, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. The agitated protestors have been demanding the arrest of Sharma.
Here is a timeline of key events in the issue:
INTERNATIONAL OUTRAGE
The Qatar government on June 5 summoned the Indian ambassador Dipak Mittal over the comments made by Sharma. The Qatar government handed him an official note criticizing the remarks by Sharma.
The Indian government, in reply, said the remarks don't represent the views of Indian government and called it an act of fringe elements.
After this, around 14 Islamic countries mainly from the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Pakistan raised their objections in the strongest manner.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Protests over controversial remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma & expelled BJP leader Naveen Kumar Jindal that erupted earlier today, turn violent in Prayagraj. pic.twitter.com/eQKk9yDS86
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 10, 2022
PROTESTS START
RANCHI
2 people died of bullet injuries while more than 20 were arrested in Jharkhand's Ranchi district after police fired to dispel the protesting crowd. The protests started on June 10 after Friday prayers which later turned violent.
UTTAR PRADESH
Kanpur: The first protest started in Kanpur on June 3 after Friday prayers at Nai Sadak, Pared and Yateemkhana areas. It was reported that angry protestors forcefully tried to shut some shops and after this a brawl occurred between two communities. This led to stone pelting and police had to resort to baton charge.
The police also arrested 29 people in the incident while the hunt for others is still on. An SIT was also formed to investigate the incident.
Prayagraj: The highest number of people arrested after the violent protests are also from Uttar Pradesh, where heavy demonstrations were seen on June 10, after Friday prayers. 91 protesters have been arrested by the police in Prayagraj so far and houses of two accused have been demolished by the municipal corporation.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Protests over controversial remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma & expelled BJP leader Naveen Kumar Jindal that erupted earlier today, turn violent in Prayagraj. pic.twitter.com/eQKk9yDS86
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 10, 2022
The authorities have said the houses were demilished because they were constructed illegally, the family is calling it a vendetta.
Saharanpur: Protests also erupted in the Western UP district, Saharanpur, which also houses Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband. The UP police has arrested 71 protesters from Saharanpur.
Similarly, the police arrested 51 protestors from Hathras, 34 from Moradabad, 15 from Ferozabad and 34 from Ambedkarnagar.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath asked the officials to take strict actions against the rioters and don’t spare anyone.
West Bengal: Violent protests were also seen in parts of West Bengal including Howrah, South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad. Angry protestors had also vandalised train at Bethuadahari railway station in Nadia district.
As of now, more than 200 people have been arrested and 42 FIRs have been registered in connection with these protests, Manoj Malviya, Bengal DGP said.