India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (23) suspended T Raja Singh, one of its lawmakers from the southern state of Telangana, over his controversial remarks made against the Prophet Muhammad.
Singh, who is known for his hardline Hindutva views and controversial statements targeting Muslims, was suspended after a video published by him in which he was seen mocking the Prophet caused an outrage in the state capital of Hyderabad. The police had to intervene in rein in the protesters and arrested Singh, who represents the constituency of Goshamahal in Hyderabad.
Om Pathak, secretary of the BJP's central disciplinary committee, wrote to Singh in a letter, "You 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."
Pathak also asked Singh to "show cause" within 10 days from the date of this notice as to why he should not be expelled from the party.
"Your detailed reply must reach the undersigned no later than 2nd of September 2022," Pathak said.
The incident happened a day after Indian home minister Amit Shah paid a visit to Hyderabad.
A few months ago, the BJP faced a similar embarrassment after one of its former spokespersons, Nupur Sharma, made controversial remarks on the Prophet in a television debate, leading to a massive outrage, even in Muslim nations. The BJP had suspended Sharma on that occasion as well.
This photograph taken on April 28, 2026 shows a boy getting "thali", a sacred thread tied to his neck symbolising marriage to Hindu warrior god Aravan during the annual Koovagam transgender festival at the Koothandavar temple in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district. For a few fleeting days each year, at the heart of the Koothandavar Temple where ostracised transgender community members from across India come to honour the Hindu deity Aravan, a tradition rooted in millennia-old Hindu texts -- and to enjoy a brief oasis of freedom.Getty Images
This photograph taken on April 29, 2026 shows a member of the transgender community mourning as a priest cuts the "thali", a sacred thread symbolising end of her marriage to Hindu warrior god Aravan during the annual Koovagam transgender festival at the Koothandavar temple in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district. For a few fleeting days each year, at the heart of the Koothandavar Temple where ostracised transgender community members from across India come to honour the Hindu deity Aravan, a tradition rooted in millennia-old Hindu texts -- and to enjoy a brief oasis of freedom. Getty Images
