A young man from Kashmir India has been arrested for posting a video threatening to behead a former Indian ruling party spokesman who had made derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad, according to officials.
Key points:
- The video, released on YouTube, has been removed
- Outrage over the comments of the two BJP spokespersons has been trending on Twitter
- At least 70 people have been arrested on suspicion of disturbing and disturbing public order in West Bengal
The video, released on YouTube, has been removed by authorities as part of a wider attempt to curb religious unrest across the country.
Muslims have taken to the streets to protest anti-Islamic comments by two members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata (BJP) party in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, the BJP suspended its spokesman Nupur Sharma and ousted another leader, Naveen Kumar Jindal, for his controversial comments about the Prophet’s private life.
The comments also angered several Muslim countries, causing a massive diplomatic challenge for the Modi government.
Police cases have been filed against the two former BJP officials.
On Sunday, Jindal said on Twitter that his family was facing ongoing threats, and some of his followers tweeted that a raw bomb had been detonated near his residence in the capital New Delhi.
Outrage over Sharma and Jindal’s comments has been on Twitter, with Muslim groups calling for the arrest of both, while some hardline Hindu groups label the two officials as brave and nationalist politicians.
Countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Iran, which are key trading partners for India, protested through diplomatic channels and used social media to apologize to the government.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said in a statement: of the Muslims “.
India’s Foreign Ministry said last week that the tweets and comments did not reflect the government’s views.
Clashes have erupted across the country, with some members of the Muslim minority community seeing them as the latest case of pressure and humiliation under the BJP rule on issues ranging from freedom of worship to the rule of law. use of hijab handkerchiefs.
India’s foreign ministry said the comments did not reflect the government’s views. (Reuters: Anushree Fadnavis)
Two teenagers were killed last week when protesters clashed with police in the eastern city of Ranchi.
More than 300 arrested in Uttar Pradesh
More than 300 people have been arrested in sporadic riots in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
In the eastern state of West Bengal, authorities have enforced an emergency law banning public meetings in the Howrah industrial district until 16 June.
At least 70 people have been arrested on suspicion of disturbing and disturbing public order, with Internet services suspended for more than 48 hours following the latest community violence.
The president of the West Bengal BJP staged a protest on Sunday and accused Bangladesh of inciting recent violence in the state.
West Bengal shares a long and open border with Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, whose constitution designates Islam as the state religion, also upholds the principle of secularism.
Hindus make up about 10% of the country’s population.
BJP leaders have instructed several senior members to be “extremely cautious” when it comes to religion on public platforms and the government continues to strengthen public safety.
Reuters