Delhi Police on Tuesday said it has provided security to suspend Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma in the wake of death threats she has received over her alleged controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad.
“Sharma and her family have been provided police security after she alleged that she has been receiving threats and was being harassed over her remarks,” an official said.
The former BJP spokesperson had lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police on May 27 alleging that she has been receiving death threats and target hatred against her.
Based on this complaint, an FIR was registered under sections 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation), 507 (Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication), and 509 (Word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code at the Special Cell police station against unidentified people.
However, during the probe, Sharma lodged another complaint against certain persons regarding promoting enmity.
“After examining the said complaint, section 153 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) of the IPC was added in this case,” Delhi Police spokesperson Suman Nalwa said.
The controversial statement made by Nupur Sharma has set off an international furore. Several Muslim nations, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, and Iran, as well as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, have officially protested and demanded an apology.
Following the uproar, the Bharatiya Janata Party suspended Sharma and expelled another leader, Naveen Kumar Jindal, who also made insulting comments against Prophet Muhammad on social media.
Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta told a news agency that there is no place for indiscipline in the party and no one is allowed to cross the party line.
On June 5, the BJP suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal for their alleged controversial comments on Prophet Muhammad.