After suspension by BJP for alleged Prophet Muhammad remark, MLA Raja Singh gets court relief

HYDERABAD:  T Raja Singh, BJP MLA from Goshamahal, walked free Tuesday evening, hours after he was arrested for his alleged comments against Prophet Muhammad. The police sought a 14-day remand but the 14th Additional Magistrate Court, citing procedural lapses such as failure to issue a notice, ordered that he be released immediately. But, since several cases have been filed against the MLA, police are likely to follow due procedure and arrest him again. Raja Singh’s remarks, coming close on the heels of similar comments by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, had the party in damage-control mode.

The BJP Central Disciplinary Committee suspended him and slapped a show-cause notice, asking him to explain within 10 days why he shouldn’t be expelled. Trouble began Monday night after Raja Singh posted a video on YouTube against the recent show of stand-up comic Munawar Faruqui.

The MLA made comments against the Prophet in the same video. Following Raja Singh’s release, protests erupted across the city late on Tuesday with huge crowds gathering. In some places like Charminar, Bahadurpura and Kishanbagh, police patrol vans were seen damaged.

After protests spread, BJP distances itself from Raja Singh

Following this, Mangalhat police arrested Raja Singh under Sections 153-A (a) (b), 295-A, 504, 505 (2), and 506 of IPC. Following his remarks, around 42 cases were filed against Raja Singh across the country on Tuesday, including in Karnataka and West Bengal. The BJP was quick to distance itself from him. “You have expressed views contrary to the party’s position on various matters, which is in clear violation of Rule XXV 10(a) of the Constitution of BJP,” read the notice sent to Raja Singh by Om Pathak, member-secretary, BJP central disciplinary committee.

“I have been directed to convey to you that pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities/assignments if any, with immediate effect. Please also show cause within 10 days from the date of this notice as to why should you not be expelled from the party. Your detailed reply must reach the undersigned no later than September 2,” Om Pathak said in the letter.

As Raja Singh’s remarks sparked protests and led to mild tension, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that the BJP has made it a policy to spread their dirty propaganda against Prophet Muhammad and disturb communal harmony in the country and in Telangana.

Speaking to the media, he demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi react to the ‘nonsense’ and ‘derogatory’ language used by the BJP MLA against the Prophet, which has angered Muslims across the country. BJP leaders did not react either to the arrest or suspension of Raja Singh. Earlier, tension prevailed at the Nampally civil court complex when Raja Singh was produced before the magistrate.
His supporters gathered at the place as did the protestors forcing the police to whip out lathis.

The situation was brought under control soon. Shops and establishments were also closed at some places, including near Nampally and surrounding areas, when he was produced before the court. The police have tightened vigil to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. This is not the first time that the firebrand leader, known for his high decibel Hindutva rhetoric, has landed in trouble.

HYDERABAD:  T Raja Singh, BJP MLA from Goshamahal, walked free Tuesday evening, hours after he was arrested for his alleged comments against Prophet Muhammad. The police sought a 14-day remand but the 14th Additional Magistrate Court, citing procedural lapses such as failure to issue a notice, ordered that he be released immediately. But, since several cases have been filed against the MLA, police are likely to follow due procedure and arrest him again. Raja Singh’s remarks, coming close on the heels of similar comments by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, had the party in damage-control mode. The BJP Central Disciplinary Committee suspended him and slapped a show-cause notice, asking him to explain within 10 days why he shouldn’t be expelled. Trouble began Monday night after Raja Singh posted a video on YouTube against the recent show of stand-up comic Munawar Faruqui. The MLA made comments against the Prophet in the same video. Following Raja Singh’s release, protests erupted across the city late on Tuesday with huge crowds gathering. In some places like Charminar, Bahadurpura and Kishanbagh, police patrol vans were seen damaged. After protests spread, BJP distances itself from Raja Singh Following this, Mangalhat police arrested Raja Singh under Sections 153-A (a) (b), 295-A, 504, 505 (2), and 506 of IPC. Following his remarks, around 42 cases were filed against Raja Singh across the country on Tuesday, including in Karnataka and West Bengal. The BJP was quick to distance itself from him. “You have expressed views contrary to the party’s position on various matters, which is in clear violation of Rule XXV 10(a) of the Constitution of BJP,” read the notice sent to Raja Singh by Om Pathak, member-secretary, BJP central disciplinary committee. MLA Raja Singh gives a ‘thumbs up’ after his release on bail“I have been directed to convey to you that pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities/assignments if any, with immediate effect. Please also show cause within 10 days from the date of this notice as to why should you not be expelled from the party. Your detailed reply must reach the undersigned no later than September 2,” Om Pathak said in the letter. As Raja Singh’s remarks sparked protests and led to mild tension, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that the BJP has made it a policy to spread their dirty propaganda against Prophet Muhammad and disturb communal harmony in the country and in Telangana. Speaking to the media, he demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi react to the ‘nonsense’ and ‘derogatory’ language used by the BJP MLA against the Prophet, which has angered Muslims across the country. BJP leaders did not react either to the arrest or suspension of Raja Singh. Earlier, tension prevailed at the Nampally civil court complex when Raja Singh was produced before the magistrate. His supporters gathered at the place as did the protestors forcing the police to whip out lathis. The situation was brought under control soon. Shops and establishments were also closed at some places, including near Nampally and surrounding areas, when he was produced before the court. The police have tightened vigil to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. This is not the first time that the firebrand leader, known for his high decibel Hindutva rhetoric, has landed in trouble.