News Analysis India

Tag: Nupur Sharma

  • Prophet row: SC reserves order on news anchor Navika Kumar’s plea seeking clubbing of FIRs

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its order on a plea filed by journalist Navika Kumar seeking clubbing of multiple FIRs lodged against her over controversial remarks made by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Prophet Mohammad during a TV debate moderated by her.

    A bench of Justices M R Shah and Krishna Murari, which had earlier granted interim protection to Kumar on the FIRs, heard the submissions from all the parties and said it will pass orders.

    “Arguments concluded. Judgement reserved,” the bench said.

    At the outset, senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for Kumar, submitted that all the FIRs in the Nupur Sharma case have been transferred to Delhi and sought that the complaints be clubbed and transferred her case as well.

    The top court, however, said the order in Sharma’s case was passed in peculiar facts and circumstances as there was threat perception and not on merit.

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Centre and submitted that the probe should go to the same state as in the case of Sharma.

    The apex court on August 8 had granted interim protection from arrest to Kumar and issued notices to the Centre, West Bengal government, and others on Kumar’s plea seeking quashing of proceedings initiated against her.

    Sharma’s remark on the Prophet during a TV debate had triggered protests across the country and drew sharp reactions from many Gulf countries.

    The BJP subsequently suspended her from the party.

    The top court had in July granted interim protection from arrest to Sharma in connection with the FIRs/complaints filed against her in several States over her remarks on the Prophet made during a TV debate show.

    It had also protected her from any coercive action in the FIRs/complaints which may be registered or entertained in the future about the May 26 telecast.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its order on a plea filed by journalist Navika Kumar seeking clubbing of multiple FIRs lodged against her over controversial remarks made by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Prophet Mohammad during a TV debate moderated by her.

    A bench of Justices M R Shah and Krishna Murari, which had earlier granted interim protection to Kumar on the FIRs, heard the submissions from all the parties and said it will pass orders.

    “Arguments concluded. Judgement reserved,” the bench said.

    At the outset, senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for Kumar, submitted that all the FIRs in the Nupur Sharma case have been transferred to Delhi and sought that the complaints be clubbed and transferred her case as well.

    The top court, however, said the order in Sharma’s case was passed in peculiar facts and circumstances as there was threat perception and not on merit.

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Centre and submitted that the probe should go to the same state as in the case of Sharma.

    The apex court on August 8 had granted interim protection from arrest to Kumar and issued notices to the Centre, West Bengal government, and others on Kumar’s plea seeking quashing of proceedings initiated against her.

    Sharma’s remark on the Prophet during a TV debate had triggered protests across the country and drew sharp reactions from many Gulf countries.

    The BJP subsequently suspended her from the party.

    The top court had in July granted interim protection from arrest to Sharma in connection with the FIRs/complaints filed against her in several States over her remarks on the Prophet made during a TV debate show.

    It had also protected her from any coercive action in the FIRs/complaints which may be registered or entertained in the future about the May 26 telecast.

  • Raj Thackeray supports Nupur Sharma over Prophet remark

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday supported suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her remarks against Prophet Mohammad.

    Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik had said the same thing earlier but no one asked him to apologise, Thackeray said while addressing a meeting of MNS functionaries here.

    “Nobody asked Naik for an apology,” the MNS chief said.

    Thackeray also slammed the “Owaisi brothers” (AIMIM leaders) for allegedly ridiculing the names of Hindu gods.

    No action has been taken against them, he said, using an abusive term while referring to them.

    The MNS chief also taunted his estranged cousin and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the latter’s claim that the BJP reneged on the promise of rotating the CM’s post after the 2019 Assembly elections in Maharashtra.

    ““When I was in Shiv Sena, Balasaheb (Thackeray) had decided that the party having more MLAs will have the CM post,”, he said.

    “Also, during the election campaign, PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah had publicly said that Devendra Fadnavis (present Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra) will be the CM.

    “Why did you not object then instead of waiting for the poll results and going against the people’s mandate which was for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance”,” he said.

    Raj Thackeray said the late Shiv Sena founder had hugged him when he was about to leave that party.

    ““I had gone to meet Balasaheb. He knew I was not staying (in the Sena). He hugged me and said: Now you can go,” the MNS chief recalled. I want to take Balasaheb’s ideology forward. It doesn’t matter if I don’t have the symbol (bow and arrow symbol of Shiv Sena),”” he said.

    ALSO READ | BJP suspends its Telangana MLA Raja Singh arrested for alleged remarks against Prophet

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday supported suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her remarks against Prophet Mohammad.

    Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik had said the same thing earlier but no one asked him to apologise, Thackeray said while addressing a meeting of MNS functionaries here.

    “Nobody asked Naik for an apology,” the MNS chief said.

    Thackeray also slammed the “Owaisi brothers” (AIMIM leaders) for allegedly ridiculing the names of Hindu gods.

    No action has been taken against them, he said, using an abusive term while referring to them.

    The MNS chief also taunted his estranged cousin and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the latter’s claim that the BJP reneged on the promise of rotating the CM’s post after the 2019 Assembly elections in Maharashtra.

    ““When I was in Shiv Sena, Balasaheb (Thackeray) had decided that the party having more MLAs will have the CM post,”, he said.

    “Also, during the election campaign, PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah had publicly said that Devendra Fadnavis (present Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra) will be the CM.

    “Why did you not object then instead of waiting for the poll results and going against the people’s mandate which was for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance”,” he said.

    Raj Thackeray said the late Shiv Sena founder had hugged him when he was about to leave that party.

    ““I had gone to meet Balasaheb. He knew I was not staying (in the Sena). He hugged me and said: Now you can go,” the MNS chief recalled. I want to take Balasaheb’s ideology forward. It doesn’t matter if I don’t have the symbol (bow and arrow symbol of Shiv Sena),”” he said.

    ALSO READ | BJP suspends its Telangana MLA Raja Singh arrested for alleged remarks against Prophet

  • Prophet remark row: SC clubs and transfers all FIRs against Nupur Sharma to Delhi Police

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Thursday directed clubbing and transfer of all FIRs lodged across the country against suspended BJP spokeswoman Nupur Sharma to Delhi Police in connection with FIRs/complaints lodged against her in several states over her remark on the Prophet made during a TV debate show.

    A bench of Justices Surya Kant and J B Pardiwala also extended interim protection to Sharma till the probe is concluded by the Delhi police.

    The top court allowed Sharma to move Delhi High Court for quashing of FIRs lodged over her remark and said all future FIRs would also be transferred to Delhi Police for investigation.

    The apex said the FIRs will be probed by the Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations (IFSO) of the Delhi Police.

    Sharma’s remark on the Prophet during a TV debate had triggered protests across the country and drew sharp reactions from many Gulf countries. The BJP subsequently suspended her from the party.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Thursday directed clubbing and transfer of all FIRs lodged across the country against suspended BJP spokeswoman Nupur Sharma to Delhi Police in connection with FIRs/complaints lodged against her in several states over her remark on the Prophet made during a TV debate show.

    A bench of Justices Surya Kant and J B Pardiwala also extended interim protection to Sharma till the probe is concluded by the Delhi police.

    The top court allowed Sharma to move Delhi High Court for quashing of FIRs lodged over her remark and said all future FIRs would also be transferred to Delhi Police for investigation.

    The apex said the FIRs will be probed by the Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations (IFSO) of the Delhi Police.

    Sharma’s remark on the Prophet during a TV debate had triggered protests across the country and drew sharp reactions from many Gulf countries. The BJP subsequently suspended her from the party.

  • Mob attacks Maharashtra man with weapons, accuse him of supporting Nupur Sharma on social media

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: A 23-year-old man was attacked with sharp weapons by a mob in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district accusing him of supporting Bharatiya Janata Party’s Nupur Sharma on social media, leaving him seriously injured, police said on Saturday.

    Four main accused have been arrested in connection with the incident which occurred on August 4.

    A senior officer said it was premature to say anything about the motive behind the attack as the investigation is at the preliminary stage.

    The man, identified as Pratik alias Sunny Rajendra Pawar, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital for injuries to his head and other parts of the body, a police official said.

    Pawar was attacked by at least 14 people from a minority community with a sword, sickle, sticks, and hockey sticks on Thursday evening in front of a medical shop at Akkabai Chowk in Karjat town, 222 km away from the Ahmednagar district headquarters.

    The incident occurred when Pawar and Amit Mane, the complainant in the case, were going to attend an event on his two-wheeler and waiting for a friend near the medical shop, the official said.

    While they were waiting for a friend, some men belonging to the community approached them on two-wheelers.

    They were carrying a sword, sickle, and hockey sticks, as per the First Information Report (FIR).

    One of them shouted at Pawar saying he had written a post on social media in support of Nupur Sharma and also put the status on Instagram after Kanhaiya Lal, and attacked him, Mane stated in his complaint filed on Friday.

    Kanhaiya Lal was allegedly murdered by two Muslim men in June in Udaipur for sharing a social media post in support of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, whose comments on Prophet Mohammad had caused a huge row.

    The attackers threatened Pawar that he will meet the same fate as that Umesh Kolhe.

    One of the attackers hit Pawar in his eyes, the official said quoting the FIR.

    ALSO READ | ‘We strongly encourage respect and tolerance for all religions’: UN spokesperson amid Prophet row

    Kolhe, a chemist, was killed over his alleged support for Nupur Sharma on social media in Maharashtra’s Amravati district.

    The case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

    After Pawar was left injured, Mane called up his two friends and they rushed Pawar to a state-run hospital.

    A senior police officer said it is premature to link the attack to social media posts, if any, of Pawar.

    “Though there is a mention of Pawar’s social media post in support of Nupur Sharma (in the complaint), it is very premature to speak about it as the probe is on,” he said.

    He said Pawar has a criminal background with two cases pending against him.

    Pawar had been externed earlier for his criminal activities.

    ALSO READ | Have to inculcate belief in everyone that each Indian is safe here: NSA Doval on religious animosity

    “During the investigation so far, we did not come across Pawar’s social media post supporting Nupur Sharma. We are examining all his social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp,” another police official said.

    He said the victim had some old enmity with members of a group, which may have led to the attack.

    An FIR was registered against 14 people under sections 307 (Attempt to murder),143 (Being a member of an unlawful assembly), rioting, 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), and 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and four of the main accused arrested.

    MUMBAI: A 23-year-old man was attacked with sharp weapons by a mob in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district accusing him of supporting Bharatiya Janata Party’s Nupur Sharma on social media, leaving him seriously injured, police said on Saturday.

    Four main accused have been arrested in connection with the incident which occurred on August 4.

    A senior officer said it was premature to say anything about the motive behind the attack as the investigation is at the preliminary stage.

    The man, identified as Pratik alias Sunny Rajendra Pawar, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital for injuries to his head and other parts of the body, a police official said.

    Pawar was attacked by at least 14 people from a minority community with a sword, sickle, sticks, and hockey sticks on Thursday evening in front of a medical shop at Akkabai Chowk in Karjat town, 222 km away from the Ahmednagar district headquarters.

    The incident occurred when Pawar and Amit Mane, the complainant in the case, were going to attend an event on his two-wheeler and waiting for a friend near the medical shop, the official said.

    While they were waiting for a friend, some men belonging to the community approached them on two-wheelers.

    They were carrying a sword, sickle, and hockey sticks, as per the First Information Report (FIR).

    One of them shouted at Pawar saying he had written a post on social media in support of Nupur Sharma and also put the status on Instagram after Kanhaiya Lal, and attacked him, Mane stated in his complaint filed on Friday.

    Kanhaiya Lal was allegedly murdered by two Muslim men in June in Udaipur for sharing a social media post in support of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, whose comments on Prophet Mohammad had caused a huge row.

    The attackers threatened Pawar that he will meet the same fate as that Umesh Kolhe.

    One of the attackers hit Pawar in his eyes, the official said quoting the FIR.

    ALSO READ | ‘We strongly encourage respect and tolerance for all religions’: UN spokesperson amid Prophet row

    Kolhe, a chemist, was killed over his alleged support for Nupur Sharma on social media in Maharashtra’s Amravati district.

    The case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

    After Pawar was left injured, Mane called up his two friends and they rushed Pawar to a state-run hospital.

    A senior police officer said it is premature to link the attack to social media posts, if any, of Pawar.

    “Though there is a mention of Pawar’s social media post in support of Nupur Sharma (in the complaint), it is very premature to speak about it as the probe is on,” he said.

    He said Pawar has a criminal background with two cases pending against him.

    Pawar had been externed earlier for his criminal activities.

    ALSO READ | Have to inculcate belief in everyone that each Indian is safe here: NSA Doval on religious animosity

    “During the investigation so far, we did not come across Pawar’s social media post supporting Nupur Sharma. We are examining all his social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp,” another police official said.

    He said the victim had some old enmity with members of a group, which may have led to the attack.

    An FIR was registered against 14 people under sections 307 (Attempt to murder),143 (Being a member of an unlawful assembly), rioting, 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), and 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and four of the main accused arrested.

  • SC set to hear pleas of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, Varavara Rao

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday is scheduled to hear various cases including the petition of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma seeking revival of her plea for clubbing of FIRs lodged over her remarks on Prophet and plea for bail on medical grounds of P Varavara Rao in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case.

    A bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala is likely to hear Sharma’s plea, who has also sought expunction of adverse remarks made against her on July 1 while refusing to entertain her plea for clubbing of the FIRs, saying she has been receiving death threats after the criticism, according to a lawyer associated with the case.

    The top court is also slated to hear Rao’s plea for permanent medical bail.

    He has challenged the Bombay High Court order rejecting his petition for permanent medical.

    A bench comprising Justice U U Lalit, S R Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia will take up the plea of the 83-year-old accused.

    The plea challenging the appointment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rakesh Asthana as Delhi Police Commissioner is also listed for hearing before the apex court on Tuesday.

    A bench headed by Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna is likely to hear the matter.

    The SC is also scheduled to take up pleas against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme alleging that the government has quashed the century-old selection process for the Armed forces which is contrary to the constitutional provisions and without having parliamentary approval.

    A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Surya Kant and A S Bopanna will hear the plea challenging the new recruitment scheme.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday is scheduled to hear various cases including the petition of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma seeking revival of her plea for clubbing of FIRs lodged over her remarks on Prophet and plea for bail on medical grounds of P Varavara Rao in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case.

    A bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala is likely to hear Sharma’s plea, who has also sought expunction of adverse remarks made against her on July 1 while refusing to entertain her plea for clubbing of the FIRs, saying she has been receiving death threats after the criticism, according to a lawyer associated with the case.

    The top court is also slated to hear Rao’s plea for permanent medical bail.

    He has challenged the Bombay High Court order rejecting his petition for permanent medical.

    A bench comprising Justice U U Lalit, S R Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia will take up the plea of the 83-year-old accused.

    The plea challenging the appointment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rakesh Asthana as Delhi Police Commissioner is also listed for hearing before the apex court on Tuesday.

    A bench headed by Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna is likely to hear the matter.

    The SC is also scheduled to take up pleas against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme alleging that the government has quashed the century-old selection process for the Armed forces which is contrary to the constitutional provisions and without having parliamentary approval.

    A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Surya Kant and A S Bopanna will hear the plea challenging the new recruitment scheme.

  • Prophet remarks row: Nupur Sharma moves SC, seeks revival of plea for clubbing of FIRs

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking revival of her withdrawn plea and expunction of adverse remarks by a vacation bench on July 1 while hearing her petition for clubbing of FIRs lodged over her remarks on Prophet in a TV show.

    A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala had refused to entertain her plea for clubbing of the FIRs lodged in several states over her remarks.

    The top court had come down heavily on her for her controversial comments against the Prophet, saying her “loose tongue” has “set the entire country on fire” and that she is “single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country”.

    “She actually has a loose tongue and has made all kinds of irresponsible statements on TV and set the entire country on fire. Yet, she claims to be a lawyer of 10 years standing. She should have immediately apologised for her comments to the whole country,” the court had said.

    NEW DELHI: Former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking revival of her withdrawn plea and expunction of adverse remarks by a vacation bench on July 1 while hearing her petition for clubbing of FIRs lodged over her remarks on Prophet in a TV show.

    A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala had refused to entertain her plea for clubbing of the FIRs lodged in several states over her remarks.

    The top court had come down heavily on her for her controversial comments against the Prophet, saying her “loose tongue” has “set the entire country on fire” and that she is “single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country”.

    “She actually has a loose tongue and has made all kinds of irresponsible statements on TV and set the entire country on fire. Yet, she claims to be a lawyer of 10 years standing. She should have immediately apologised for her comments to the whole country,” the court had said.

  • Nupur Sharma case: Attorney General says no to contempt against ex-judge

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Attorney General K K Venugopal has not given consent to initiate contempt proceedings against former Delhi High Court judge SN Dhingra and two others for criticising the Supreme Court over its observations against suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.

    Advocate C R Jaya Sukin had sought Venugopal’s consent to initiate criminal contempt of court against Dhingra, former additional solicitor general (ASG) Aman Lekhi and senior advocate K Rama Kumar for calling the top court’s observations in Nupur Sharma’s case “irresponsible, illegal and unfair”.Venugopal said the statements made by the three people were neither “vituperative nor abusive” nor were they likely to interfere with the administration of justice by the SC.

    “I’ve gone through your request seeking consent to initiate proceedings for criminal contempt against Justice (retd) S N Dhingra, Lekhi and Rama Kumar…The statements are not vituperative or abusive nor are they likely to interfere with the administration of justice…the SC, in several judgements, has held that fair and reasonable criticism of judicial proceedings would not constitute contempt of court,” he said.

    NEW DELHI: Attorney General K K Venugopal has not given consent to initiate contempt proceedings against former Delhi High Court judge SN Dhingra and two others for criticising the Supreme Court over its observations against suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.

    Advocate C R Jaya Sukin had sought Venugopal’s consent to initiate criminal contempt of court against Dhingra, former additional solicitor general (ASG) Aman Lekhi and senior advocate K Rama Kumar for calling the top court’s observations in Nupur Sharma’s case “irresponsible, illegal and unfair”.
    Venugopal said the statements made by the three people were neither “vituperative nor abusive” nor were they likely to interfere with the administration of justice by the SC.

    “I’ve gone through your request seeking consent to initiate proceedings for criminal contempt against Justice (retd) S N Dhingra, Lekhi and Rama Kumar…The statements are not vituperative or abusive nor are they likely to interfere with the administration of justice…the SC, in several judgements, has held that fair and reasonable criticism of judicial proceedings would not constitute contempt of court,” he said.

  • Haryana: Amid Nupur Sharma row, BJP removes IT cell in-charge for old tweet over Islam

    By PTI

    GURUGRAM: The BJP on Thursday removed its Haryana IT cell in-charge amid calls for his arrest over an old tweet allegedly against Islam.

    A statement issued by state BJP president O P Dhankar said Arun Yadav is being removed from the post with immediate effect but did not give any reason for it.

    Yadav’s tweet dates back to 2017 but went viral on social media now.

    Though no complaint has been filed against him so far, people are demanding his arrest online.

    Meanwhile, the Nuh police has booked a man for allegedly declaring a Rs 2 crore reward for cutting off the tongue of now-suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma over her remarks on Prophet Mohammad during a TV debate.

    The action by the police came after a purported video of Salaheri resident Irshad Pradhan declaring the reward surfaced on social media.

    In Chandigarh, asked to comment on the issue, state Home Minister Anil Vij said strict action would be taken as per the law.

    “Those elements who want to disturb peace in the country will be dealt with strictly,” he said.

    The video purportedly showed Pradhan offering the reward to a Youtuber on behalf of entire Mewat to cut off Sharma’s tongue.

    Tension had erupted in the area after the video was widely shared on social media.

    “Bring her tongue and take Rs 2 crore. Do it and take the money right now,” the man is heard purportedly saying in the video.

    Nuh Superintendent of Police Varun Singla said police have identified the accused and booked him under relevant provisions of the IPC.

    “Action will be taken as per the law. Our social media cell too has been pressed into action to ensure no such instigating content is supported or circulated in the district,” he said.

    “We appeal to people to not spread such videos and communal content,” Singla added.

    The Police said that the FIR against Irshad Pradhan and others was registered at the City Nuh police station.

    “Main accused Irshad did not just say this on video but later also uploaded the same on his Facebook page.

    Police teams are conducting raids to nab him,” a senior police officer said.

  • Amravati pharmacist might be killed by gang ‘self inspired’ from ISIS: Officials

    Umesh Kolhe was killed on June 21 by two motorcycle-borne men by slitting his throat, allegedly for supporting now sacked BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.

  • Ajmer dargah cleric arrested for call to ‘behead’ Nupur Sharma 

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: A cleric of the Ajmer dargah, who on camera allegedly offered his house to anyone who beheads now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her controversial remark against Prophet Mohammad, has been arrested, police said on Wednesday.

    Officials said accused ‘khadim’ Salman Chisti is a “history-sheeter” and that he might have recorded the video in an inebriated condition. The Ajmer police had registered an FIR against him on Monday night. “Salman Chisti was caught last night (Tuesday). He is a history-sheeter at the Dargah police station,” Dargah police station SHO Dalbeer Singh Foujdar said.

    Ajmer Assistant Superintendent of Police Vikas Sangwan said Chisti was caught at his residence in Khadim mohalla. “Prima facie, he made the video in an inebriated condition. He is being interrogated further,” the ASP added.

    In the video, the cleric is purportedly seen and heard announcing he would gift his house to anyone who brings Sharma’s head to him. Chishti is also allegedly heard saying he would shoot her dead for insulting the Prophet.

    “You have to give a reply to all Muslim countries. I am saying this from Ajmer, Rajasthan, and this message is from Huzur Khwaja Baba ka darbar,” he purportedly says in the video, referring to the Sufi shrine that sees many Hindu visitors, apart from Muslim devotees.

    Last week, four people were arrested in connection with another provocative speech allegedly delivered at the main gate of the Ajmer dargah on June 17.

    Though that video was in circulation earlier, the arrests were made following the killing of a Udaipur-based tailor Kanhaiya Lal by two men, who said they were avenging an insult to Islam. The two men were, however, caught by the police when they were fleeing on a motorcycle in Rajsamand.

    In all, five people have been arrested in connection with the murder case, which is being handled by the National Investigation Agency.