Hyderabad saw overnight protests after BJP MLA Raja Singh was granted bail
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Hyderabad: Protests continued through Tuesday night in Hyderabad against BJP MLA T Raja Singh as he was granted bail hours after being arrested for his alleged derogatory comments against the Prophet.
Police stopped protesters from marching towards Raja Singh's neighbourhood early Wednesday morning; his effigies were burnt in many places in the city.
In another development, following his suspension from the party, the Goshamahal MLA was asked to explain in ten days why he should not be expelled, according to The Indian Express.
Police said alongside deploying personnel, police pickets have been put up and the situation, according to an official, is under control.
The shops and businesses in the Old City downed their shutters in protest against the BJP MLA and there were reports of stone pelting which the police denied.
After a local court released the lawmaker on bail, protests erupted in the Old City with large mobs opposing and supporting the leader came face to face outside the court on Tuesday evening. Police dispersed the crowds charging them with batons.
Following reports of his release from police custody, massive crowds appeared near Charminar leading to fresh protests through midnight. There were similar protests in Shalibanda, Moghalpura, Khilwat and other areas of the city.
T Raja Singh posted a 10.27-minute-long "comedy" video on the YouTube channel " Shree Ram Channel Telangana". In the video he reportedly invoked comments against the prophet previously made by Nupur Sharma.
After the video began doing rounds, protests erupted on Monday night with hundreds coming out onto the streets demanding Raja's arrest.
As well as denying charges against him, Singh said the video was in response to stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui's show in Hyderabad on August 20. Raja Singh had opposed the show, issuing threats to stop it.
As he was arrested on Tuesday morning, Raja threatened to release a second part of the video as the first one was taken down by authorities.
He is facing charged under sections 295(a), 153(a), 505 (1) (b) and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code. The court granted him bail saying that due procedure was not followed before the arrest.
