Nupur Sharma Likely To Be Questioned By Mumbai Police Over Prophet Row: Report

Trouble seems to be mounting for the suspended spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party, Nupur Sharma, who is currently at the centre of controversy. Sharma was suspended by the party on June 5 after Arab nations including Qatar and Saudi Arabia expressed resentment over their inaction after she made derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad on live television.

Sharma will reportedly be questioned by Mumbai Police over her derogatory comments. Multiple complaints were filed against her across Mumbai and Mumbai metropolitan region over the derogatory remarks, the report stated.

Nupur Sharma To Be Questioned?

The Mumbai Police had registered a first information report (FIR) against Sharma for her remarks under the Indian Penal Code Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, language, etc.), 295 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 505 (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes).

According to a report in The Hindu, the complaint was lodged in South Mumbai's Pydhonie Police Station based on a complaint by one Irfan Shaikh, joint secretary of the Mumbai wing of the Raza Academy, a right-wing Muslim outfit.

The report quoted Shaikh's FIR statement in which he claimed that he had received a message on WhatsApp which contained the link to a Twitter post of the televised debate where Sharma made the objectionable remarks against Prophet Muhammad and his wife Ayesha who are worshipped by Muslims. The academy contended that Sharma's statements had hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslim community.

Nupur Sharma Issues Apology

Amidst the furore over her remarks, the BJP leader issued a statement apologising in which she said that she did not intend to hurt the religious sentiments of anyone. "I could not tolerate this continuous insult and disrespect toward our Mahadev and I said some things in response to it. If my words have caused discomfort or hurt the religious feelings of anyone whatsoever, I hereby unconditionally withdraw my statement. It was never my intention to hurt anyone’s religious feelings,” Nupur Sharma said in her apology statement.

She had also alleged that the figure of Mahadev, the Indian deity was ridiculed by comparing it to roadside signs and poles in Delhi.

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