Offensive remark against Prophet: BJP lawmaker arrested, suspended from party

A legislator of India's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the southern state of Telangana was arrested and suspended today (August 23, 2022) from the party for reportedly making objectionable remark against the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The legislator Raja Singh was arrested by the Hyderabad police early this morning, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

Raja Singh is the third BJP leader to face action in the last three months for remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after the party's now-expelled Delhi unit media chief Naveen Jindal and party's suspended spokesperson Nupur Sharma.

Hyderabad South Zone Police filed an FIR against Raja Singh today at Dabeerpura Police Station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Protests had erupted in parts of Hyderabad late on Monday after Singh, the lawmaker from Goshamahal, released a video in which he purportedly made the controversial remarks.

Protestors had gathered in front of the city Police Commissioner's office demanding immediate action against the BJP legislator.

The BJP issued a show cause notice issued to Raja Singh, Om Pathak, member secretary of BJP central disciplinary committee, said.

"You have expressed views contrary to the party's position on various matters, which is a clear violation of constitution of the Bharatiya Janata Party."

"I have been directed to convey to you that pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party..." the committee's notice said, asking Raja Singh to explain why he should not be expelled from the party within 10 days.

According to inspector at the Dabeerpura police station, last night over 250 people gathered to protest in front of the police station stating that Raja Singh has shared a derogatory video about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and had also hurt religious sentiments of the community.

On August 19, Raja Singh was put under house arrest after he opposed a show held by popular stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui in Hyderabad on August 20.

Raja Singh made a video claiming that Hyderabad Police had given protection to the stand-up artiste and helped to make his show successful.

The BJP legislator alleged Faruqui had made certain remarks that hurt religious sentiments and used foul language.