Prophet row: Naveen Kumar Jindal claims family is in danger
What's the story
Days after being expelled from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the remarks against Prophet Muhammed, Naveen Kumar Jindal has claimed that his family is in danger of being attacked by the Islamic fundamentalists. Voicing his fear on Twitter, Jindal wrote in Hindi, "I humbly request all not to share any information about me and my family with anyone...people are posting my residential address."
Context
Why does this story matter?
The development comes after BJP's now-suspended spokesperson Nupur Sharma and Jindal's controversial comments received considerable criticism on social media and from Arab countries. Complaints have been filed calling for their arrest, while both claimed to have received death threats. The issue triggered protests and violence across several cities on Friday prompting the police to arrest several protesters and leading to internet services being suspended.
Twitter Post
Check out Jindal's tweet
मेरा सभी से पुनः विनम्र निवेदन है कि मेरी और मेरे परिवार के सदस्यों की किसी भी प्रकार की जानकारी किसी से भी साझा ना करें। मेरे निवेदन करने पर भी कई लोगों मेरे निवास का पता सोशल मीडिया पर पोस्ट कर रहे है।
— Naveen Kumar Jindal 🇮🇳 (@naveenjindalbjp) June 11, 2022
क्योंकि इस्लामिक कट्टरपंथियों से मेरे परिवार की जान को खतरा है।
Statement
Jindal summoned by Bhiwandi Police
Urging the Delhi Police to take action, Jindal shared a screenshot of a phone number from which he claimed to have received threats. Meanwhile, the Bhiwandi Police in Maharashtra's Thane summoned Jindal to appear before it on Wednesday to record his statement. To recall, the BJP expelled Jindal and suspended its spokesperson Sharma last week in response to their comments against the Prophet.
Twitter Post
Jindal shares screenshot of the phone number
अभी अभी मेरे और मेरे परिवार के सदस्यों की हत्या करने की धमकियाँ मिली है धमकी देने वाले ने हमको सुबह 11:38 बजे +918986133931 इस नम्बर से फ़ोन किया है। मैंने पुलिस नियंत्रण कक्ष को तुरंत सूचित कर दिया है @DCPEastDelhi @CPDelhi @LtGovDelhi तुरंत संज्ञान लें। pic.twitter.com/WP2ZdHReX7
— Naveen Kumar Jindal 🇮🇳 (@naveenjindalbjp) June 11, 2022
Tweet
Hand grenade reportedly found near Jindal's house
On Sunday, Jindal retweeted a post by BJP leader Gaurav Goel alleging that a hand grenade had been found a few kilometers away from the former's residence. Goel had tweeted, "Hand grenade found in Delhi'>New Delhi which has been defused by NSG. Naveen Jindal is also living nearby. I request the Home Ministry of India to protect his life and liberty (sic)."
BJP statement
BJP suspended Sharma, expelled Jindal
After facing criticism from various quarters, the BJP had on June 5 suspended Sharma for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. It also expelled Jindal, who was the media in-charge of the party's Delhi unit. The party had also issued a statement clarifying its stand on the issue. "BJP is strictly against any ideology that insults any sect or religion," the statement read.