Blasphemy: India's Hindu Nationalist BJP Suspends Lawmaker Over Prophet Remarks

Blasphemy: India's Hindu Nationalist BJP Suspends Lawmaker Over Prophet Remarks
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday suspended Telangana lawmaker T Raja Singh after he was arrested for making blasphemous remarks against the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Hyderabad police had earlier arrested Raja Singh after registering a case against him under different sections of the Indian Penal Code related to promoting enmity between different communities on grounds of religion. Singh had released a video containing the alleged remarks. Protests in Hyderabad had followed.

The BJP suspended Singh and issued a show-cause notice to him directing to explain why he should not be expelled from the party. "You [Singh] have expressed views contrary to the party's position on various matters, which is in clear violation of Rule XXV 10 (a) of constitution of the Bharatiya Janata Party. 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," the notice issued by Om Pathak, BJP's secretary of central disciplinary committee, said. "Please also show cause within 10 days from the date of this notice as to why you should not be expelled from the party," it added.