Nupur Sharma gets police security amid ‘threats’ over Prophet remark

The Delhi Police on Tuesday said security was being provided to suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and her family after an FIR was registered on a complaint that she was getting death threats over her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad, news agencies reported.

A day ago it was reported that Sharma had sought security citing harassment and threats she had been receiving following which the Delhi Police registered a case against unidentified people, reports Hindustan Times.

"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 was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Sharma's alleged derogatory remarks on the Prophet during a debate on national television have triggered a massive diplomatic row with a number of Muslim nations, including Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE, messaging India to raise the issue. The government and the BJP have distanced themselves from the comments, with the latter suspending her on Sunday.

Besides Sharma, the BJP expelled its Delhi unit media head Naveen Kumar Jindal over the same issue. The saffron party also issued a statement saying it respects all religions and strongly denounces insults of any religious personality. Jindal had put out some tweets on the issue which now stand deleted.

Later, Sharma unconditionally withdrew her controversial statement, while adding that her comments were in response to "continuous insult and disrespect towards our Mahadev (Lord Shiva)”.

On June 3, violent clashes erupted after Friday prayers in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur over Sharma's remarks leaving several injured.

On May 28, the Delhi Police had said its cyber cell unit received a complaint from Sharma against various persons about death threats and targeted hatred.

Based on this complaint, an FIR was registered under IPC sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 507 (Criminal intimidation by anonymous communication) and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) against unknown people. "During the probe, another complaint was received from Sharma against certain persons promoting enmity. Following this, Section 153A of IPC was added to the case.

"Notices have been sent to Twitter Inc. and a reply from it is awaited. Investigation into the case is underway," the senior police official said.