In retaliation to two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politicians’ derogatory words against Prophet Muhammad, a wave of protests erupted across the country on Friday, June 10th, including in the national capital Delhi. Demonstrations and violent incidents have been recorded in Delhi, various parts of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Telangana, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, and Maharashtra.
Bengaluru, on the other hand, experienced very little conflict. This was an unusual attitude for a politically active state. However, a recent meeting between religious leaders and Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Pratap Singh clarified things.
Religious leaders from various communities met with Bengaluru Commissioner Pratap Reddy on June 13th to discuss the insulting comments made by ex-BJP members against Prophet Mohammed.
Following the meeting, Reddy issued a statement to the media, claiming that Bangalore is a peaceful city with elaborate security systems in place to avoid any further escalation of disturbance. This was expressed in the wake of large-scale protests and violent clashes in other states such as Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
Maulana Maqsood Imran Rashadi, speaking to reporters said that “The comments on Prophets by ex-BJP members are highly condemnable and removing them is not enough. They should be put behind bars.”
He went on to say that he met with Commissioner Pratap Singh, along with members of the Sikh, Christian, and Jain communities, to discuss the contentious statements, which he said had caused immense anguish not only among Muslims, but also among humanity as a whole.
They demanded that action be taken beyond simply filing a FIR, and that the perpetrators be arrested.
He went on to say that they should enact a policy that no one should be allowed to make anti-religious sentiments, and that if they do, they should face severe consequences. They guaranteed that Bangalore will remain peaceful and harmonious. They would take strict action against BJP members in coordination with other religious communities, while adhering to all laws and regulations.
The police assured them, according to Jasbir Singh Rode, a member of the Gurudwara Sri Suru Singh Sabha, that they will carry out justice as stipulated by the constitution and that the Muslim population’s feelings and sentiments will be taken very seriously, even being relayed to the Chief Minister.
During the discussion, all of the communities present pledged that peace would prevail in the state and that they would support all of the government’s actions, according to Pratap Reddy. The police have stated that they will carry out all steps in accordance with the law.
