Massive demonstrations were held on Friday in multiple cities across India to protest against inflammatory comments about the Prophet Muhammad by two BJP spokespersons.
Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal had been suspended by the BJP earlier this week for their statements that had triggered criticism by governments of several Muslim nations.
Protests were reported from Delhi, Lucknow, Saharanpur, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Hyderabad and other cities.
A larger number of people assembled outside the Jama Masjid in Delhi after Friday prayers. Scores of people, carrying placards, shouted slogans against Sharma.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shah Imam of Jama Masjid, was quoted by ANI as saying the mosque had not given a call for a protest.
The Shahi Imam said “We don't know who are the ones protesting; I think they belong to AIMIM or are Owaisi's people. We made it clear that if they want to protest, they can, but we will not support them.”
The Delhi Police said it had removed the protesters and the situation was under control.
Protests were reported from the Teele Wali Masjid in Lucknow.
In Hyderabad, additional police personnel were deployed to the Mecca Masjid in the Old City area when protesters assembled after Friday prayers.
In Belagavi, Karnataka, an effigy of Nupur Sharma was found hanging near the Bashiban Dargah in the Fort Road area on Friday, Deccan Herald reported.