"Whoever dare shows disrespect to the Prophet will invite death like the cartoonists and journalists of Paris-based satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo," Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Haji Yakoob Qureshi has said.

"Rasul ke ashiq unhe saja de dete hai (followers of Prophet punish them)," the former Uttar Pradesh minister said on Thursday, reacting to Islamic clerics' views that the religion had no place for violence.

"Those who dare insult Prophet Mohammed deserve death and there is no need to initiate legal procedure against them," he said.

He said the Prophet spread the message of peace and love.

Qureshi had hit the headlines in 2006 after declaring a reward of Rs. 51 crore for anyone who would kill the Danish cartoonist who had created a controversial cartoon of Prophet Mohammed. He had made the offer at a public rally in Meerut.

Reacting to Wednesday's attack on Charlie Hebdo, Qureshi said he was ready to pay the reward money to the attackers. "I am ready to pay the money if they come and demand the declared reward."