Protests in Jammu, Rajouri over ‘blasphemous’ remarks on Prophet Muhammad

Hundreds of people staged separate protest rallies in Jammu and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday to press their demand for legal action against a priest for his “blasphemous” remarks on Prophet Muhammad, officials said.

The rallies, organised by various Muslim organisations and joined by members of other communities as solidarity, were taken out peacefully at the Bhatindi area of Jammu and Rajouri district town, the officials said.

The protestors demanded stern action against the priest, Yati Narsinghanand, for hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims by his “hate” speech. Senior police officers visited the protesters and assured them that an FIR already stood registered against the accused in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Members of other communities, including Sikhs, joined the protest at Bhatindi and said the government must act against people like Narsinghanand to maintain peace and communal harmony in the country.

“We have joined this protest to convey our strong resentment against the blasphemous remarks, which have the potential to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the country. The government must act against the culprit in accordance with the law of the land,” said RK Kalsotra, state president of All India Confederation of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other backward Classes.

Another participant, Jasbir Singh, said the Sikh community strongly condemned the remarks of the “hate-monger”, who should immediately be jailed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). “We appeal to the people to maintain communal harmony,” he said.

Safdar Ali, one of the leaders, said a deliberate attempt was made by communal elements to create a wedge among people under a conspiracy. “It is the responsibility of the government to put such people behind bars. We hope strict action will be taken against him,” he said.