After Nupur Sharma, another MLA Raja Singh suspended over a remark against Prophet Mohammed
Socking its hardliners, BJP on Tuesday suspended MLA T Raja Singh, hours after Hyderabad Police arrested him for derogatory remarks against the Prophet Mohammad. BJP in the notice said that Raja Singh violated the party’s constitution. BJP was distancing from the controversy after the Nupur Sharma incident.
Singh, known for his hardline religious rhetoric, was issued a show cause notice by the BJP, asking him to explain within 10 days why he should not be expelled from the party. Singh was arrested on Tuesday, a day after he released a video criticizing stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui, who had recently performed in Hyderabad. Singh is also purportedly seen making some comments aimed at the Prophet. His supporters have, though, argued that he had not named any religion or religious figure.
In a notice issued to Singh, BJP’s central disciplinary committee secretary Om Pathak said, “you have expressed views contrary to the Party’s position on various matters, which is in clear violation… Of the constitution of the BJP. I have been directed to convey to you that pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities/ assignments if any, with immediate effect.”
Pathak also asked Singh to “show cause” within 10 days from the date of this notice as to why he should not be expelled from the party. “Your detailed reply must reach the undersigned no later than 2nd of September 2022,” Pathak said.
The BJP’s action against the 45-year-old maverick legislator came months after it had suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma for making derogatory comments against the Prophet. Her comments sparked protests abroad as well with several Islamic countries objecting and taking up the matter with India. BJP had also expelled its Delhi media in-charge Naveen Kumar Jindal then.
A complaint filed by one Mohammad Wajhi Uddin Salman with Dabeerpura Police alleged Raja Singh used vulgar language against Prophet Mohammad. During the arrest, the Goshamahal MLA told reporters his video was pulled down by the social media platform on which it was uploaded and that he will upload “part 2” of the clip after his release.
“They removed my video from YouTube. I don’t know what the police are going to do. Once I am released, the second part (of the video) will certainly be uploaded. I am doing it for Dharma. I am ready to die for Dharma,” he said. “Why are there complaints? Our Ram is not Ram? Our Sita is Sita? I requested the DGP with folded hands not to allow the person (Munawar Faruqui) who made comedy with vulgar language against Ram and Sita,” he said.
In 2020, Facebook banned Singh from its platform and Instagram for violating its policy on content promoting violence and hate. “We have banned Raja Singh from Facebook for violating our policy prohibiting those that promote or engage in violence and hate from having a presence on our platform,” a Facebook spokesperson had said.
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Time that every BJP worker to give back to their party management & resign enmasse. Enough of this vasudeva kutumb.