Prophet Row: Muslim Youth Detained Amid Protests Against BJP's T Raja Singh

The police lathicharged protesters who raised religious slogans, burnt effigies of Singh and pelted stones.

(Photo: PTI)

A day before the Telangana Police arrested suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, T Raja Singh on Thursday, 25 August, for his alleged remarks against Prophet Muhammad, at least 50 Muslim youths were detained for protesting against him on Wednesday, 24 August.

The Hyderabad city police reportedly barged into Muslim homes and dragged the youth out, even though some of the parents claimed that they were innocent and had not engaged in the protests.

Security was beefed up in parts of Hyderabad on Wednesday, following protests that began on Tuesday against Raja Singh's remarks.

Hyderabad: Activists stage a protest against Telangana BJP MLA T Raja Singh for his controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad in Hyderabad, Wednesday, 24 August.

Hyderabad: Police personnel attempt to detain a protester during a demonstration against Telangana BJP MLA T Raja Singh for his controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad, at Shalibanda in Hyderabad, Wednesday, 24 August.

Hyderabad: Police personnel attempt to maintain law and order during a protest against Telangana BJP MLA T Raja Singh for his controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad, at Shalibanda in Hyderabad, Wednesday, 24 August.

Hyderabad: Police detain protesters who were demonstrating against BJP MLA Raja Singh over his remarks on Prophet Mohammad, at Shalibanda in Hyderabad's Old City, on Wednesday, 24 August.

Hyderabad: RAF personnel conduct a flag march as protests erupted over the controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad made by BJP MLA Raja Singh, in the Old City of Hyderabad, Wednesday, 24 August.

Hyderabad: Locals raise slogans during a protest over controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad, in the Old City of Hyderabad, Wednesday, 24 August.

Fearing unrest, schools in Shalibanda and Old City area were shut on Wednesday. Besides, shops and petrol pumps at places including Asha talkies, Moghulpura, Lal Darwaza, Madina, Shalibanda, and Fatehdarwaza were also closed.

The suspended BJP MLA was previously arrested on Tuesday, but was later released on bail because the police failed to adhere to Section 41 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) during the arrest.

'Not Acceptable': Owaisi Condemns Detention

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday, 25 August, said that the police had used disproportionate force and barged into a home and detained five youths.

"This isn't acceptable. They've been released on my representation. I asked our corporators to drop the youths back home," he said in the tweet.

In a tweet, Owaisi said the police picked up 90 people from the Shah Ali Banda and Asha Talkies area on Wednesday and on his representation they were released.

"This situation is a direct result of Raja Singh's hate speech. He must be sent to jail at the earliest. I also reiterate my appeal to maintain peace. #Hyderabad is our home, it should not fall prey to communalism," Owaisi tweeted.

File FIR Against People Who Made Children Raise Slogans: NCPCR

Meanwhile, prior to the police detaining Muslims, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), on Wednesday, had requested the Hyderabad Police to file an FIR against people who made school children raise slogans against T Raja Singh.

"A shocking revelation shows a video wherein several children in Hyderabad are seen raising slogans 'Sar Tan Se Juda' and demanding that T Raja Singh be hanged, " the NCPCR said in a letter to the Hyderabad Police.

The NCPCR added that that it seems like children have been used as political tools.

What Did BJP MLA T Raja Singh Do?

Suspended BJP MLA T Raja Singh was arrested on Tuesday, after a case was filed against him for hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion. Soon after, he was granted bail as the court rejected the police's request for custody.

This came after a video showing Singh allegedly making derogatory comments against Prophet Muhammad and Islam was circulated on social media. He claimed that a second part of the video would come out shortly.

The politician was subsequently suspended and was issued a show-cause notice by the BJP within hours of his arrest and the party stated that he expressed views contrasting to the party's position on various issues.

His comments came shortly after former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma made similar remarks against the Prophet and faced severe backlash globally. She, too, was suspended from the party after 10 cases were filed against her across the country.