BJP suspends MLA Raja Singh for remarks on Prophet Muhammad

Hyderabad: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday suspended its controversial legislator Raja Singh for making an alleged blasphemous remark against Prophet Muhammad. The MLA was arrested by the Hyderabad police early in the morning.

In a show cause notice issued to Raja Singh, Om Pathak, member secretary of BJP central disciplinary committee, said, "You have express views contrary to the party's position on various matters, which is a clear violation of constitution of the Bharatiya Janata Party."

"I have been directed to convey to you that pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party..." the committee's notice said, asking Raja Singh to explain why he should not be expelled from the party within 10 days.

After the suspension, Raja Singh would also be relieved of his position of the BJP legislative party leader.

Raja Singh is the third BJP leader to face action for their remarks against Prophet Muhammad. Earlier, Delhi BJP media chief Naveen Jindal was expelled, while party spokesperson Nupur Sharma faced action in the last three months.

Hyderabad South Zone Police filed an FIR against Raja Singh on Tuesday morning. The FIR was registered against him at the Dabeerpura Police Station under sections 153a, 295, and 505 of the Indian Penal Code.

Protests had erupted in parts of Hyderabad late on Monday after Singh, the MLA from Goshamahal released a video in which he purportedly made the remarks. Protestors gathered in front of the city Police Commissioner's office demanding immediate action against the BJP MLA.

Police took the protesters into custody at the commissioner's office in Basheer Bagh and shifted them to several police stations.

According to inspector at the Dabeerpura police station, last night over 250 people gathered to protest in front of the Dabeerpura police station stating that Raja Singh has shared a derogatory video about the Prophet and had also abused and hurt religious sentiments of the community.

"We immediately took all the details from them and registered a case under relevant sections of IPC and further probe into the case has been initiated," Inspector Dabeerpura police station said.
Police took the protesters into custody at the commissioner's office in Basheer Bagh and took them to several police stations.

On August 19, the BJP MLA was put under house arrest after he opposed the show that was held by standup comedian Munawar Faruqui in Hyderabad on August 20.

Raja Singh made a video claiming that Hyderabad Police had given protection to the stand up artiste and helped to make his show successful.

The BJP MLA alleged that Faruqui had made certain remarks that hurt religious sentiments and used foul language for him.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad police have increased the security and have deployed forces out of the Hyderabad police commissioner's office. Police have also increased security in parts of the city.