Muslims in India have taken to the streets to protest anti-Muslim comments by two members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu Nationalist Party (Bharatiya Janata) (BJP).
Two protesters died of gunshot wounds during clashes with police in the city of Ranchi, capital of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand. Ten people are being treated for various injuries at the hospital.
Senior police official Surendra Kumar Jha said at least 14 police officers were injured in the incident in Ranchi and other areas.
In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, state police said they had arrested 230 people for allegedly rioting after unrest spread across several towns following Friday prayers.
In the eastern state of West Bengal, authorities have enforced an emergency law banning public gatherings in the Howrah industrial park until June 16. At least 70 people have been arrested for rioting and disturbing public order. plus, with internet services suspended for more than 48 hours. after the latest incident of communal violence.
Earlier this month, the BJP suspended spokesman Nupur Sharma and expelled another leader, Naveen Kumar Jindal, because controversial comments about the Prophet’s private life also provoked a diplomatic backlash from other countries. Islamic.
Police cases have been filed against two former BJP officials.
Countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Iran – important trading partners of India – protested through diplomatic channels and used social media to demand an apology from the government.
India’s foreign ministry said last week that the tweets and comments did not reflect the position of the government.
Clashes over the comments raged across the country, as some in the Muslim community see it as the latest instance of pressure and humiliation under the BJP rule on issues from the word self. by worshiping to wear a headscarf.
The BJP leadership has issued directives to some senior members to be “extremely cautious” when talking about religion on public platforms, and the government continues to tighten public security.
