New Delhi: Massive protests were held here and in several cities across the country on Friday by Muslims demanding the arrest of former BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal for making remarks against Prophet Mohammad that caused outrage in the Islamic world.
The protests took place at Delhi's imposing 17th century Jama Masjid as well as in Saharanpur, Lucknow, Mordabad and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Jammu, Kolkata and Karnataka.
In the national capital, a noisy but peaceful protest erupted after the Friday prayers at Jama Masjid, with scores of people raising slogans and waving printed posters. A huge crowd poured out of the Jama Masjid shouting slogans against the Delhi Police as well as Nupur Sharma and Jindal.
A Delhi Police officer later said the protest ended within half hour and was peaceful. She said action will be taken against those who organised the show of strength without taking police permission.
The BJP has suspended Nupur Sharma and sacked Jindal over their comments during a television debate. The former has apologized and taken back her comments.
Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam Ahmed Bukhari said the protest was not called by the mosque and locals also denied initiating it even as they said they agreed with the demand for action against the former BJP spokespersons.
Shopkeepers in the area also said that they couldn't identify the protesters. "They were not from amongst us. We know people from our locality," said 27-year-old Junaid Khan, who runs an eatery in front of the mosque.
Protests were also held in Kashmir, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Karnataka's Belgavi, Punjab's Ludhiana and Lucknow, Prayagraj, Saharanpur and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh among others.
In Lucknow, thousands of protesters at the Tile Wali Masjid were prevented by the police from crossing the barricades.
A huge crowd gathered at Howrah to protest over the controversial remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and expelled BJP leader Naveen Kumar Jindal. Some protestors also set on fire police vehicles and booths.
In Jharkhand's capital Ranchi, the protest turned violent. The protestors pelted stones at the police and torched vehicles.