Muslim community from Panvel and Vashi took out a protest march after their Friday prayer over the inflammatory remarks by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal against Prophet Muhammad. They submitted their demand to the local police station.
They demanded from the administration to arrest the two suspended spokespersons of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Women and children took part in both protest marches in large numbers.
Khaja Mia Patel, president of Republican Sena said that they took out a protest march in Vashi and submitted their demand to the Vashi police station. “We have demanded that the police administration arrest the two BJP spokespersons immediately for hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community,” said Patel. He added that these kinds of statements create a rift in society and timely action is needed.
Similarly, another group from the community took out a protest march in Panvel and submitted their demands to the Panvel City police station. Nadim Dolare, one of the community representatives in Panvel said that they have only one demand of proper action against Sharma and Jindal. “We have submitted the demand to the police and tehsil office and demand action. There is a need to establish peace by taking strict action against people who create a rift among communities,” said Dolare, adding that the administration has assured to take action against them.
Meanwhile, massive protests erupted in several parts of the country today including Delhi, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh over remarks by suspended Sharma and her former colleague Naveen Jindal that have triggered an international row.
In Uttar Pradesh, incidents of stone-pelting were also reported in the Atala area of Prayagraj.
Additional Director General (Law and Order) Parashant Kumar said, "The reports of stone-pelting in Prayagraj are being looked into."
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, meanwhile, has directed to take strict actions against the hooligans.
