India police shoot 2 during protests over BJP official’s Prophet Mohammed remarks
- ‘Police were forced to open fire to disperse protesters,’ said an officer in the eastern city of Ranchi
- Anger has engulfed the Islamic world since last week, when a member of the ruling BJP commented on the relationship between the prophet and his youngest wife
Indian police shot dead two protesters and arrested more than 130 others during street rallies sparked by a ruling party official’s remarks about the Prophet Mohammed, authorities said on Saturday.
Anger has engulfed the Islamic world since last week, when a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling BJP party commented on the relationship between the prophet and his youngest wife on a TV debate show.
Muslims took to the streets after Friday prayers in huge numbers across India and neighbouring countries to condemn the remarks, with police firing on a crowd in the eastern city of Ranchi.
“Police were forced to open fire to disperse protesters ... resulting in the death of two,” a police officer from the eastern city of Ranchi told AFP.
Officers said that the crowd had defied their orders not to march from a mosque to a market and thrown broken bottles and stones when police attempted to disperse the rally with a baton charge.
Authorities cut internet connections in the city and imposed a curfew, with local resident Shabnam Ara saying the atmosphere remained tense on Saturday. “We are praying for peace and harmony,” she said.