National Conference today reacted to the blasphemous statement of BJP’s Nipur Sharma against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on a private electronic news channel.
NC leader Salman Ali Sagar castigated Sharma’s views-terming them unfounded.
He said that the BJP and the union government must offer an unqualified apology for such sacrilegious comments in which the most sacred name for Muslims was used in a bid to stoke communal passions.
Salman demanded that an FIR must be lodged and a stern action must be taken against Sharma.
“The smart alecks of the saffron brigade cannot hide behind Article 19 of the Indian constitution which guarantees freedom of speech to the citizens.”
He added: “The freedom guaranteed by Article 19 is not absolute. One such restriction is through section 295 of the Indian Penal Code. This restriction is supposed to protect citizens of India from deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs in any form, written, spoken, direct or indirect.”
An offense registered under section 295 (a) is non-bailable, and the police have the power to arrest without a warrant.
“One wonders what is stopping the country’s law enforcement agencies from cracking a whip against the erring BJP leader. Action against her could well send a strong message to all the nefarious elements of the country who are out there to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims for their own political chicanery,” Salman said.
Salman said that Prophet Mohammad (saw) is most dear to Muslims of the entire world and any single comment against this revered personality will plunge the country into chaos.
He added that in recent years, a renowned Christian author- Micheal Hart ranked the noble Prophet (saw) at No1 in his list of the 100 most influential persons of the world who changed the course of human history.
“Of humble origins, Prophet (SAW) founded and promulgated one of the world’s great religions, and became an immensely effective political leader. Today, thirteen centuries later, his influence is still powerful and pervasive,” Salman said.
