Amid violence over remarks against Prophet, 2 die in Jharkhand; several injured

The protest against suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal - for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prophet turned violent in Ranchi on Friday, leading to clashes between police and the protesters. Several vehicles were also vandalised.

Updated on: Jun 11, 2022, 08:49:53 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Two people died on Saturday in Jharkhand's Ranchi due to the injuries sustained amid violence over remarks against Prophet Muhammed. Ranchi was among several parts in India that witnessed clashes after Friday prayers.

Security personnel clash with protesters in Ranchi on Friday. (PTI)

The protest took place against the comments by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, who has been expelled by the party amid controversy. The remarks have also been criticised by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran and several other nations in the past few days.

In Ranchi, many were left injured and vehicles were damaged. Amid violence, a curfew was imposed while chief minister Hemant Soren appealed to maintain peace and calm. Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Ranchi Police (DIG) Anish Gupta said that the situation was "under control" despite being a "little tense".

Besides Jharkhand, similar clashes were also reported from Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, injuring at least 20 people, mostly security personnel. To control the violence in these places, police resorted to lathicharge, and used tear gas shells.

In Delhi, hundreds of protesters gathered at Jama Masjid in Chandni Chowk in a demonstration that lasted under an hour. Several students of Jamia Millia Islamia also staged a demonstration on the varsity campus and demanded the arrest of Sharma.

In Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Karnataka, as well, people took to the street, calling for legal action against Sharma and Jindal.

The BJP - after taking action against the leaders - had said that these were the views of "fringe elements". India too has assured all the nations that have sent official notes that all religions are respected in the country.

(With agency inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.