BY: News Peddlers
The students protest against persecution of Muslims and recent demolition of their houses, outside Uttar Pradesh house, in New Delhi, India on Monday, June 13, 2022.
Following last week's protests against former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma's remarks on Islam's Prophet Muhammad.
Muslims have been protesting about comments made recently by two officials from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) about the Prophet's private life, with the demonstrations often turning into violence between Hindus and Muslims.
The BJP has suspended its spokeswoman Nupur Sharma and expelled another leader, Naveen Kumar Jindal, for making the anti-Islamic remarks, which, as well as upsetting Indian Muslims, caused a diplomatic row from several Muslim countries.
The BJP -- a Hindu nationalist party -- said the offensive remarks did not reflect the government's position and that the comments were made by "fringe elements."
Party leaders have also instructed officials to be cautious when talking about religion on public platforms. Police in New Delhi said Thursday they had filed a complaint against Sharma and others for "inciting people on divisive lines" on social media.
Some in the minority Muslim community, however, see this 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.
(REUTERS/VOA)