Indian state razes Muslim homes after protests over Prophet remarks
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Police in Uttar Pradesh destroy the houses of several people who took part in the protests triggered by the ruling party figures' anti-Islam remarks.
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Debris and rubble from the demolished house of a Muslim
Authorities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have destroyed the houses of several people accused of being involved in last week's protests that took place after the ruling party figures' derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad.
Muslims have recently taken to the streets across the country to protest anti-Islamic remarks made by members of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Many in India’s Muslim community see the remarks as the latest example of humiliation exercised by the BJP on matters of freedom of worship or wearing hijab.
The BJP suspended its spokesperson, Nupur Sharma, and expelled another leader, Naveen Kumar Jindal, for the comments, and the police filed cases against them, while the government has claimed the comments do not reflect its views.
Muslim groups have requested their arrest, while some hardline Hindu groups call them brave and nationalist politicians.
The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state, Yogi Adityanath, ordered officials this weekend to destroy any "illegal" buildings and houses of people accused of being involved in last week's "unrest" there, according to the BJP’s state spokesperson.
An alleged leader of the protests, whose daughter is a Muslim rights activist, had his house destroyed in the presence of the police on Sunday. Two other people accused of throwing stones after Friday prayers had their houses also demolished.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has so far not issued any comments.
India police kills 2 in protests against anti-Islam remarks
Indian police shot dead two protesters and arrested more than 130 others during street rallies sparked by a ruling party official's anti-Muslim remarks about Prophet Muhammad, authorities told AFP Saturday.
Anger has engulfed the Islamic world since last week when Nupur Sharma, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, made derogatory comments on the relationship between the prophet and his youngest wife on a TV debate show.
Muslims took to the streets after Friday prayers in huge numbers across India and neighboring countries to condemn the Islamophobic remarks, with police firing on a crowd in the eastern city of Ranchi.
Authorities responded by cutting internet connections in the city and imposing a curfew.
Police in Uttar Pradesh fired tear gas to disperse at least one rally after several demonstrations were organized across the northern state.
It is worth mentioning that India's Foreign Ministry had said the offensive comments did not in any way reflect the Indian government's views, while the BJP claimed that it "strongly opposes any ideology that insults or degrades any sect or religion," noting that it "does not promote such people or philosophy."
Despite such reassurances, several Indian towns and states have seen widespread and organized campaigns of persecution against the Muslim minority in recent months, backed by radical Hindus' violence.
The decision to prohibit the wearing of headscarves in schools and educational institutions, as well as the demolition of Muslim property, have all drawn widespread outrage.
