Derogatory remarks against Islam; Case against BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma

Mumbai: A case has been registered against BJP national spokesperson Nupur Sharma for making offensive remarks against Islam. The case was registered against Sharma on a complaint by Irfan Abubakar Shaikh the joint secretary of Raza Academy, an organization of Indian Sunni Muslims. Sharma's controversial remarks came during a debate on a television channel on the Gyanvapi issue.

She has been booked under the charges of 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 505 (2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, for hatred or ill will between classes of Indian Penal Code.

In his complaint, Shaikh alleged that Sharma along with three other members participated in a debate on television and made objectionable comments about Islam and tried to defame its prophet Muhammad.

The National Conference (NC) had demanded action against Sharma for the same. Salman Ali Sagar, provincial president of the Youth National Conference, said he strongly protest the remarks of BJP spokesperson against the Prophet Muhammad. He also demanded an apology from the BJP and the central government for using the holiest name of Muslims to incite communal sentiment.

Nupur Sharma on Saturday said that she had received death threats on social media over the remarks. "There is a so-called fact checker who has started to vitiate atmosphere by putting out a heavily edited & selected video from one of my debates last night. Ever since, I've been receiving death & rape threats, incl beheading threats against me & family members. In case there's any harm done to me/my family members Mohd Zubair, who I think is a proprietor of Alt News, is completely responsible," Nupur tweeted.

Nupur Sharma is a member of the BJP Delhi State Executive Committee and a prominent face of Yuva Morcha.