Members of a rickshaw drivers union burn a representation of an Indian national flag and pictures of Nupur Sharma, a spokesperson of the governing Hindu nationalist party, during a demonstration to condemn the derogatory references to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad made recently by Sharma, in Karachi.
Highlights
- SC slams Nupur Sharma for Prophet remark
- Top court refused to entertain her plea for clubbing of FIRs lodged in various states against her
- Court said "remarks were made for cheap publicity"
Prophet remark: The Supreme Court on Friday castigated suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma for her "disturbing" remark against Prophet Mohammad, saying it has led to unfortunate incidents in the country The court said the remark was made either for cheap publicity, political agenda or some nefarious activities.
The top court came down heavily on Sharma saying, "her loose tongue has set the entire country on fire." "Her outburst is responsible for unfortuante incident at Udaipur," the bench added. "What is the business of the TV channel to discuss the matter which is sub-judice, except to promote an agenda?", Supreme Court says while hearing Nupur Sharma's plea to club FIRs over her remarks.
While refusing to entertain Sharma's plea for clubbing of FIRs lodged in various states against her for the remark, a vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala allowed her to withdraw the plea. “These remarks are very disturbing and smack of arrogance. What is her business to make such remarks? These remarks have led to unfortunate incidents in the country…These people are not religious. They do not have respect for other religions. These remarks were made for cheap publicity or for political agenda or some other nefarious activities”, the bench said during the hearing.
The bench further said, "She should have gone to the TV and apologised to the nation." "She was too late to withdraw...and that too she withdrew it conditionally, saying if sentiments hurt", Supreme Court bech noted on Nupur Sharma's remark on Prophet.
Justice Kant said, "The way she has ignited emotions across the country... This lady is single handedly responsible for what is happening in the country. There was provocation from the other debator, senior advocate Maninder Singh for Nupur Sharma submitted. "If you are a spokesperson of a party, it is not a license to say things like this, if there is a misue of the debate, the first thing she should have done was to file an FIR against the anchor", Supreme Court said while hearing Sharma's petition.
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The top court's castigation comes after a tailor was hacked to death inside his shop by two men in broad daylight. The victim reportedly had recently shared a social media post in support of Nupur Sharma-- former BJP leader who had made controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammad.
The assailants who identified themselves in the video as Riyaz Akhtari and Ghouse Mohammad. Riyaz was seen attacking 47-year-old Kanhaiya Lal with a sharp-edged weapon while the other, Ghouse, recorded the crime on his mobile phone. The incident took place in Udaipur's Maldas area.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday took over the investigation of the brutal murder. The two accused were arrested within hours of the incident. NIA on Thursday said it suspects the role of a "terror gang and not a terror outfit". The anti-terror agency, however, made it clear that there is a role of a bigger gang behind the brutal killing and that it was not just an act done by only two persons, who were arrested by state police after the incident.
Also Read | Prophet row: Nupur Sharma can become contender for 'Delhi CM's' post, says Asaduddin Owaisi
