New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested two people who were part of a large gathering that protested outside the Jama Masjid in the national capital two days ago, an official said on Sunday.
The accused, identified as Mohd Nadeem (43) and Faheem (37), both residents of Delhi, were arrested late Saturday.
DCP (Central) Shweta Chauhan said a case was registered on June 10 under section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code against the protesters.
However, the police has now added section 153 A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) to the FIR.
The people of the minority community, in large numbers, had gathered outside the Jama Masjid to register their protest against the controversial remarks made by former Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal.
The agitators were demanding immediate arrest of Sharma and Jindal.
Meanwhile, police in India’s Kashmir arrested a youth for posting a video threatening to behead Sharma, officials said on Sunday.
The video, circulated on YouTube, has been withdrawn by authorities as part of a wider attempt to curb religious unrest that has spread across the country.
The outrage against the comments made by Sharma and Jindal has trended on Twitter, with Muslim groups demanding arrest of the two, while some hardline Hindu groups label the two officials as brave and nationalist politicians.
Countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Iran which are key trade partners for India, lodged protests through diplomatic channels and used social media to demand an apology from the government.
India’s foreign ministry said last week the tweets and comments do not reflect the views of the government.
Clashes over the remarks simmered across the country, as some in the minority Muslim community see them as the latest instance of pressure and humiliation under BJP rule on issues ranging from freedom of worship to the wearing of hijab head scarves.
Two teenage Muslim protesters were shot dead by police in the eastern city of Ranchi last week.
Sporadic riots in northern Uttar Pradesh state forced police to arrest over 300 people.
In the eastern state of West Bengal, authorities enforced an emergency law prohibiting public gatherings in the industrial district of Howrah until June 16. At least 70 people were arrested on charges of rioting and disturbing public order, with Internet services suspended for over 48 hours after the latest communal violence.
BJP’s West Bengal president on Sunday staged a sit-in protest and accused Bangladesh of inciting recent violence in the state. West Bengal shares a long, open border with Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, whose constitution designates Islam as the state religion, also upholds the principle of secularism. Hindus make up about 10 per cent of the country’s population.
BJP leaders have issued instructions to several senior members to be “extremely cautious” when talking about religion on public platforms and the government continues to tighten public security.
