Protests in Jammu, Rajouri against ‘blasphemous’ remarks about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Religious bodies in Kashmir demand MahantNarsinghanand’s immediate arrest
Jammu/Srinagar: Hundreds of people on Saturday staged separate protest rallies in Jammu and Rajouri districts to press for legal action against a Hindutva priest for his “blasphemous” remarks about Prophet Muhammad, officials said.
The rallies organised by various Muslim organisations and joined by members of other communities as solidarity were taken out peacefully at Bhatindi area of Jammu and Rajouri district town, the officials said.
The protestors demanded stern action against the priest, YatiNarsinghanand, for hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims by his “hate” speech.
Senior police officers visited the protesters and assured that an FIR already stands registered against the accused in Ghaziabad (UP).
Members of other communities including Sikhs joined the protest at Bhatindi and said the government must act against people like Narsinghanand to maintain peace and communal harmony in the country.
“We have joined this protest to convey our strong resentment against the blasphemous remarks which have the potential to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the country. The government must act against the culprit in accordance with the law of the land,” state president of All India Confederation of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other backward Classes, R K Kalsotra, said.
Another participant Jasbir Singh said the Sikh community strongly condemns the remarks of the “hate-monger” who should be jailed under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) immediately.
“We appeal to the people to maintain communal harmony,” he said.
Safdar Ali, one of the leaders, said a deliberate attempt is made by the communal elements to create a wedge among the people under a conspiracy.
“It is the responsibility of the government to put such people behind bars. We hope strict action will be taken against him,” he said.
Meanwhile, MutahidaMajlisUlema (MMU) an amalgam of various religious bodies in Kashmir condemned the remarks made by MahantNarsinghanand, and demanded his immediate arrest.
The MMU, which is headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, strongly said such “blasphemous” statements are completely unacceptable to Muslims and all those who believe in respect for religious personalities and prophets.
“The agenda of these evil people, who deliberately hurt the sentiments of Muslims, is to provoke, spread hate and incite communal violence among communities. As there are no consequences for them, such elements indulge in these outrageous acts and get away with them,” the MMU said in a statement.
It said despite his track record as a “hate monger”, “this man is out on bail which raises serious concerns about the intention of those in-charge of maintaining communal harmony.”
“We demand his immediate arrest and the cancellation of his bail at the earliest. The sanctity of our faith must be respected, and the law must take its course to hold such offenders accountable,” the statement added.
