Srinagar: Hundreds of people on Tuesday held protests in several parts of the Valley against the members of an extremist Hindu group in Jammu’s Reasi for making blasphemous remarks against Prophet of Islam (Pbuh).
According to reports, protests were held in many parts of Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama and Baramulla districts against the members of members of rightwing Sentinel Bharat Raksha Manch, who had made derogatory remarks against Prophet of Islam (Pbuh) triggering massive outrage.
On Sunday, police arrested Satpal Sharma, the main accused and his associate Deepak soon after the video containing derogatory remarks against Prophet of Islam (Pbuh) went viral. Rohit Sharma, a resident of Pacca Danga locality, was the third accused arrested in connection with the case related to the communally sensitive video.
Police had also filed a case under section 153A IPC (promoting enmity between different groups) and 295A IPC (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) at Pacca Danga police station.
Here in Srinagar, protests were held at Rawalpora and Press Colony, Lal Chowk seeking stringent punishment for the rightwing extremists for hurting the sentiments of Muslims. At Press Colony, groups of people assembled and staged a protest against the blasphemous video.
Carrying placards that read “It’s better to kill us than to insult and abuse our religion, our Prophet is our honor and hang the culprit”, the protesters asked government to take stern action against the fanatics.
“We cannot tolerate anything against our beloved Prophet (Pbuh). Our prophet is our pride, our life and we will not hesitate to sacrifice our lives or take lives of those who show disrespect towards our religion,” said Wamiq, a protester from Srinagar.
He said the government keeping in view the love and respect of Muslims for their Prophet (SAW) should act tough against the fanatics.
Groups of people, mostly youth also staged a protest at Rawalpora here.
“No Muslim would tolerate abuses against the prophet (PBUH). The culprits should be detained under preventive law and should be handed a strict punishment. Their words have the potential to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” a protester said.
Reports of protest were also received from the border town of Uri. According to the reports, hundreds of people assembled in Bus Stand Uri and started a march towards SDM Office, KNS reported.
The protesters were raising slogans against the accused and demanding exemplary punishment to the extremists so that it serves a lesson to others.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in Gool Gulabgarh area of Ramban district while peaceful protests were organized in different parts including Doda and Kishtwar against the blasphemy video.
Firdous Tak, a former lawmaker from Jammu, said the first information report registered by the police against the accused has a legal flaw.
In a Twitter post, Tak said the district magistrate concerned should have filed the complaint against the accused, adding in absence of such a complaint, it is easier for the accused to walk free.
Reports said that Muslims in Jammu region organized protest rallies, while various Muslim religious and community groups in the region, including Anjuman Islamia, Bhaderwah; Jamia Masjid Committee, Tathri; and Kishtwar Islami Markazi Majlis-e-Shura have asked people to register protest till culprits are not detained under Public Safety Act PSA. (With KNT inputs)
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