On Saturday, the Mumbai police filed an FIR against BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for "hurting religious sentiments" through her remarks about Prophet Mohammed during a news debate, the Indian Express reported.
The FIR was filed based on a complaint from Irfan Sheikh, joint secretary of the Raza Academy in Mumbai. Sharma was booked under sections 295A, 153A and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code. Sheikh claimed he had received a WhatsApp clip of the news debate, following which he filed the police complaint.
FIR filed against Nupur Sharma by #RazaAcademy in Mumbai
— Raza Academy (@razaacademyho) May 28, 2022
Raza Academy had filed a formal complaint with the Mumbai Commssioner of Police against BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her blasphemous remarks on the Holy Prophet ﷺ in the National channel Times Now#ArrestNupurSharma pic.twitter.com/R3gAUtkhuT
The comments on the Prophet and his wife were made during a debate on Times Now on the Gyanvapi issue on Friday.
Prime Time debates in India have become a platform to encourage hate mongers to speak ill about other religions. @TimesNow's Anchor @navikakumar is encouraging a rabid communal hatemonger & a BJP Spokesperson to speak rubbish which can incite riots.
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 27, 2022
Shame on you @vineetjaintimes pic.twitter.com/lrUlkHEJp5
After Alt News's Mohammed Zubair tweeted the video clip, Sharma blamed him for her subsequently receiving "death and beheading threats". The National Commission for Women tweeted saying it had taken cognisance of the threats against Sharma and her family.
Meanwhile, Times Now distanced itself from the debate, saying Sharma's views as expressed on the debate were not "endorsed" by the channel. "We urge participants on our debates to maintain restraint and not indulge in unparliamentary language against fellow panelists," the channel said in a statement.
Newslaundry is a reader-supported, ad-free, independent news outlet based out of New Delhi. Support their journalism, here.
