India: Homeland of Muslim man linked to Prophet Mohammed’s riot comment leveled by authorities | World News

Indian authorities have demolished the homes of several people involved in the riots prompted by derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammed.

Muslims and human rights groups interpreted the demolition as punishment for the protests after a member of the Prime Minister commented Narendra ModiBJP is Hindu nationalist.

The home of one of the alleged riot organizers, whose daughter is a female Muslim rights activist, was demolished Sunday in Prayagraj, and the property of two other defendants. Forced stoning after Friday prayers was also destroyed in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Reuters reported over the weekend that a BJP spokesman said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had ordered officials to demolish any illegal facilities and homes of alleged people. related to the riots there last week.

But state authorities on Monday insisted it was because at least one of the homes was illegally built on public land.

“We are not demolishing houses to prevent Muslims from protesting because they have every right to take to the streets,” said an aide to the hardline Hindu leader of Uttar Pradesh.

Muslims have been protesting in several Indian states in recent weeks against resistanceIslamic comments by two BJP members.

Inter-community violence broke out, along with clashes between protesters and police in some areas.

It comes as many Muslims in India have questioned their place in society since Mr. Modi came to power in 2014.

Critics say his BJP is often deliberately confrontational, promoting the idea that India is a Hindu nation, despite the Constitution affirming India as a secular country.

Many Muslims view the actions of Hindu nationalists, which may include punishing opponents they see as “treason”, as an attempt to marginalize them. society, although Muslims make up 13% of India’s population.

The city where the demolition took place was renamed by the BJP-led state government in 2018 from Allahabad to Prayagraj, angering the BJP’s opponents.

Mr. Modi has not commented on the latest controversial statements, although countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Iran, which are important trading partners of India, have diplomatically protested.

Leaders of prominent Muslim groups and mosques issued an appeal to fellow Muslims on Monday to halt plans for further protests and avoid large gatherings.

Last week, two Muslim teenagers were killed and 30 injured during protests.

Malik Aslam, a senior member of Jamaat e Islami Hind, an Islamic organization active in several Indian states, said: “Every Muslim has a duty to stand together when anyone looks down on him. Islam but at the same time it is important to maintain the peace.”

Earlier this month, a BJP spokesman made one of the derogatory remarks during a televised debate. Another comment that upset Muslims was made by a party spokesman on social media.

The BJP suspended one and expelled the other, and the party said it denounced any insult to any religion, but that didn’t stop outraged Muslims from taking to the streets.

On Sunday, police in Indian-controlled Kashmir arrested a young man who posted a video threatening to behead an official making comments on social media, officials said.

At least 400 people suspected of rioting have been detained during the unrest in several states and curfews have been imposed.