New Delhi: The entire state of Rajasthan has been put on alert, internet suspended for 24 hours and large gatherings have been banned for a month after a tailor was murdered in Udaipur in connection to the row over the Prophet Muhammad controversy. The government has also moved in 600 extra troops in and around Udaipur and curfew has been declared in parts of the city.
Kanhaiya Lal was stabbed multiple times and his throat was slit by two men who had come to his shop.
The murder was filmed by the attackers who bragged in the video about the killing and threatened Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the video, the tailor is seen measuring one of the attackers for a garment. The attack begins soon after.
The killing has spiked tension in Udaipur and across the state. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Congress's Rahul Gandhi and other leaders have appealed for peace.
"I appeal to everyone not to spoil the atmosphere by sharing the video of this incident. By sharing the video, the criminal's purpose of spreading hatred in the society will be successful," Mr Gehlot said.
The police also requested that the video not be shared. Senior police officer Hawasingh Ghumaria, the Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, asked the media not to broadcast the video because of its highly inflammatory content.
Kanhaiya Lal had apparently expressed support on social media for the former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, who triggered a huge controversy at home and abroad with her provocative comments on Prophet Mohammed.
The police said he had received threats from certain organisations.