Indian police arrested a ruling party lawmaker on Tuesday for allegedlymaking derogatory comments against the Prophet Mohammed, weeks aftersimilar remarks from a top official embroiled the country in a diplomaticstorm.
Raja Singh’s words sparked outrage in the southern city of Hyderabad, wherehundreds of people gathered on Monday night to demand the state politicianbe taken into custody.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member, who has cultivated a reputationfor inflammatory speeches, had the same day published a video that localmedia reports said had made insulting remarks about the Islamic prophet.
A senior Telangana state police officer confirmed Singh’s early Tuesdayarrest to AFP.
Singh’s remarks were part of a broader tirade against Munawar Faruqui, apopular Muslim comedian harassed and threatened by Hindu nationalists forhis religious subject matter.
Faruqui performed in Hyderabad last week. Singh had earlier threatened toburn down the venue, the news website Indialink Today reported.
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His arrest comes weeks after a prominent BJP spokesperson ignited protestsacross India link and its neighbours whenshe commented on the relationship between Mohammed and his youngest wife ona TV debate programme.
Nupur Sharma was suspended from the party’s ranks in June after her remarksprompted the governments of nearly 20 countries to call in their Indianenvoys for an explanation.
Two people were killed in clashes between police and Muslim protesters thesame month, while two Muslim men were arrestedlink for the gruesome murder of a Hindutailor who had posted on social media in support of Sharma.
India link top court last month slammedSharma for having “set the country on fire.” -APP/AFP
