A member of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was arrested on August 23rd. Police arrested the politician under the Preventive Detention Act and charged him with "habitually delivering provocative and inflammatory speeches."

Thakur Raja Singh, a Member of the Telangana Legislative Assembly (MLA) since 2014, was arrested as thousands of Muslims went into the streets to protest one of his speeches against the Prophet Muhammad. 

Two weeks before Singh's arrest, the MLA threatened to burn down the venue of Munawar Faruqui's show in Hyderabad. Faruqui is a Muslim comedian accused of making fun of Hindu gods. Singh posted a video on social media threatening to beat Faruqui and throw him out of Telangana.

"None can stop us – this is a challenge," Singh declared.

Earlier this year, Faruqui was arrested and charged with blasphemy, despite a lack of evidence.

Not content with his threats to Faruqui, Singh released another video with derogatory comments againstIslam and the Prophet Muhammad. Singh was arrested but was released the same day.

Singh explained that his video was targeted solely at Faruqui and was not targeted at any religious community. 

But the BJP is not taking chances on Singh's charged statements. Before his arrest, Modi's party suspended Singh over his derogatory remark against Prophet Muhammad.

Om Pathak, Secretary of the BJP's Central Disciplinary Committee, said Singh expressed views "contrary to the Party's position on various matters." 

"I have been directed to convey to you that pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and your responsibilities/assignments, if any, with immediate effect," Pathak announced.

Singh was given ten days to respond to his suspension.

Singh's political career has been marked with periodic controversies. Most of them are hate speeches and provocations directed at other religions, mainly against Islam and Muslims. 

Most cases lodged against him have been dismissed, including a charge for "rioting armed with a deadly weapon" in 2010.