Controversial BJP leader T Raja Singh was arrested on Tuesday morning over his alleged remarks against Islam and Prophet Mohammed. He was also suspended from the party following an uproar against his remarks.
On Monday, Singh released a 10-minute video criticising stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui, who recently performed in Hyderabad. In the video, he also made derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad and Islam.
The video went viral, causing an outrage. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) claimed Singh made derogatory language against Prophet Mohammed in the clip, which has since been pulled down.
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A person named Mohammed Wajhi Uddin Salman filed a complaint with Dabeerpura Police alleging that Raja Singh used vulgar language against Prophet Mohammed. Several people belonging to the community also staged protests in various parts of the city on Monday night demanding Singh’s arrest.
He was taken into custody on Tuesday morning. He has been booked under various sections of IPC pertaining to promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs and criminal intimidation among others.
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Singh was also suspended from the BJP following his controversial remarks and the party sought his reply within 10 days as to why he should not be expelled.
In a notice issued to Singh, Om Pathak, who is secretary of the party’s central disciplinary committee, said, “You have expressed views contrary to the Party’s position on various matters, which is in clear violation of Rule XXV 10 (a) of constitution of the Bharatiya Janata Party. I have been directed to convey to you that pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities/assignments if any, with immediate effect.”
