BJP MLA T Raja Singh Gets Bail On Prophet Remarks

BJP suspended Mr. Singh soon after his arrest...

Ahead of the arrest of Telangana's BJP MLA T Raja Singh, who was arrested for his alleged derogatory comments on Prophet Muhammad, has got bail as the court rejected a police request for custody. Though the BJP suspended him, he got a hero's welcome at his office in Goshamal.

A case was registered against T Raja Singh under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs, and criminal intimidation, among others, cops said. The BJP suspended Mr. Singh soon after his arrest.

According to the reports, the BJP MLA was arrested after widespread violence. The reports said protests broke out in front of city Police Commissioner CV Anand's office and other parts of Hyderabad on Monday night. Many All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) legislators and corporators of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation reached the police stations and sought stringent action against T Raja Singh.

While responding to the insult, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, "Has it become their official policy that they aren't satisfied with Nupur Sharma and they are making other MLAs say things? People are angry. People have tears in their eyes. Why are they saying things like this about Prophet Muhammad? We demand that the BJP should stop doing all this. People can see how much you hate the Prophet."

Mr. Singh had released a 10-minute video allegedly making derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad. Taking a swipe at comedian Munawar Faruqui, whose show he unsuccessfully tried to disrupt recently, he said it was a "comedy" video just like Mr. Faruqui's alleged videos on Hindu gods. He asked why the insult of Ram and Sita could pass off as comedy but not of other figures revered by other communities.

During the arrest, Mr. Singh told reporters that 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 second part will certainly be uploaded. I am doing it for Dharma. I am ready to die for Dharma," he said.