New Delhi: Delhi Police have registered a case against people who protested outside the Jama Masjid in the national capital a day ago, an official said on Saturday. “A case has been registered under section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code against protesters on Friday,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central District) Shweta Chauhan said. The people of the minority community, in large numbers, had on Friday gathered outside the Jama Masjid, here, to register their protest against the controversial remarks made by suspended Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal.
The agitators were demanding immediate arrest of Sharma and Jindal. Jama Masjid’s Shahi Imam Ahmed Bukhari said no call was given for the protest. “I don’t know who the protesters are,” he said. Pertinent to mention here that an FIR was also previously lodged against Nupur Sharma and several others for their alleged hate remarks during a debate on a TV news channel. “We have lodged the FIR against those who were spreading messages of hate, inciting various groups and creating situations which are detrimental to the maintenance of public tranquility. One case has been registered against Nupur Sharma and another one has been registered against multiple social media entities based on the analysis. Notices will be sent to the social media intermediaries for the details,” Delhi Police PRO Suman Nalwa had said on Thursday. The controversial statement made by Nupur Sharma set off an international furore. Several Muslim nations, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia and Iran, as well as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation have officially protested their statements and demanded an apology. Following the uproar, the BJP suspended Sharma and another leader, Naveen Kumar Jindal, who also made insulting comment against Prophet Muhammad on social media. However, soon after her comments, Sharma was targetted on social media and received thousands of death threats following which the police provided a security cover to her.