Case Against Suspended BJP Leader, A Owaisi, 2 Weeks After Prophet Row

The police have filed a case against several people for hate speech, inciting groups, and creating situations that disrupt society’s peace and harmony, two weeks after two BJP leaders made objectionable statements against Prophet Muhammad and Islam, one on national television and the other on Twitter. BJP spokespersons, an MP, a journalist, social media users, and members of religious organisations have all been named in two FIRs.

“Those who were posting and sharing messages against the maintenance of public tranquilly and inciting people on the basis of various divisive lines have been charged,” police said. Provocation for communal riot, insult to religious symbols, and public mischief are all covered by sections 153, 295, and 505.

The police action comes after a massive diplomatic storm sparked by objectionable and communal remarks made by BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who has since been suspended, and Naveen Kumar Jindal, the party’s Delhi media cell head, who has also been expelled. While Ms Sharma’s remarks were made during a news channel debate, Mr Jindal is being chastised for a tweet.

Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief and MP of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), and hatemonger Yati Narsinghanand, who is out on bail in the Haridwar hate speech case, have also been named by the Delhi police.

Many have questioned why the police took so long to act, given that similar hate speech has been frequently broadcast on television and on social media. The timing, which comes after over 16 countries condemned the two BJP leaders’ remarks, has also sparked speculation. It’s unclear whether the case was filed in response to a complaint or if the cyber unit of the Delhi Police’s special cell took action on its own. Police, on the other hand, said the case was filed after social media analysis.

The social media intermediaries will be served with notices, according to the police. Several Gulf countries summoned Indian ambassadors, expressing their concern about “growing extremism and hatred.” Many people have demanded that New Delhi issue a “public apology” for the “Islamophobic” remarks.

Naveen Kumar Jindal, the expelled head of the Delhi BJP’s media unit, Shadab Chauhan, the chief spokesperson of the Peace Party, journalist Saba Naqvi, Hindu Mahasabha office-bearer Pooja Shakun Pandey, Maulana Mufti Nadeem from Rajasthan, Abdur Rehman, Anil Kumar Meena, and Gulzar Ansari are among those named in the police case or FIR, according to the police.

Pooja Shakun Pandey, also known as ‘Annapurna Maa,’ has been charged with making a controversial call to ban Friday prayers. She’s also been charged with issuing a public call to arms and inciting mass murder.

According to police, a second FIR was filed under similar sections against suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and other social media users.

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