India: The Muslims held protests against the publishing of the images of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a Class IV textbook in the Indian state of Telangana.
The protests erupted in various parts of Hyderabad while the Kalapathar police in the city have registered a case against a publisher for objectionable representation of the holy Prophet (PBUH).
Amigos Books International Pvt. Ltd. was charged with hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslim community by publishing the image of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who is highly revered and holds the utmost significance in Islam and in the world.
“The image or portrayal of the Prophet (PBUH) in any form is strictly forbidden as it goes against the principles and values of our community,” a complaint filed by a social activist said.
Mohammad Asif’s complaint said that the image undermines religious beliefs and hurts sentiments, media reports said on Tuesday.
The complaint further said that the textbooks are being sold at a private school as part of their second-semester curriculum.
Meanwhile, Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson of Majlis Bachao Tahreek (MBT), also wrote a letter to Education Minister Sabitha Indira Reddy, seeking action against the publisher, printer, school management and others responsible for the incident.
Earlier, protests erupted in various parts of the old city including Kalapathar. The protesters said that depicting such images was not acceptable and it hurt their religious sentiments.
Meanwhile, Shahapur police in Karnataka state on Tuesday registered a case against Hindutva priest Sri Siddalinga Swamiji from the Andola Matt in Jewargi taluka of Kalaburagi for making anti-Muslim hate speech. The police have reportedly taken suo moto cognisance of the offence against the Hindu priest who also holds the position of state president of Ram Sene, a known rightwing organisation.
He also campaigned for the banning of the Azaan, the Muslim call to prayer, in Karnataka and played a role in Hindutva RSS/BJP/VHP efforts to remove loudspeakers from mosques. Under his leadership, his organisation stirred up Hindu sentiments against halal meat and even has been reported to have mobilised Hindu youth to protest against Muslim girls wearing hijab in colleges and schools.
