Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s controversial comments against Prophet Muhammad during a television interview have snowballed into a diplomatic nightmare for the ruling party. Islamic nations have condemned the remarks with some even summoning Indian envoys.
On Sunday, the BJP suspended Nupur pending further investigation and expelled another leader Naveen Kumar Jindal over a tweet referring to the Prophet on 1 June. Both leaders have apologised and said their remarks were not aimed at hurting religious sentiments. However, the party has taken action against the duo for not abiding by the official line on sensitive matters. The BJP issued a statement asserting that it “respects all religions” and “strongly denounces insults of any religious personality”.
BJP sources said that action was taken at the instance of the top leadership because the remarks of Jindal and Sharma were seen as at odds with the party’s focus on development and the PM’s “sabka saath, sabka vikas” agenda. The party leadership was reportedly annoyed with the controversy breaking out amid the celebrations of the third anniversary of the Modi government’s second term at the Centre.
BJP has differentiated between Jindal and Sharma by saying that not only the former’s remarks were offensive, he compounded the error by repeating it amid signs of the leadership’s displeasure.
Nupur has explained she made the statement concerned in a TV debate over the discovery of a ‘shivling’ at Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque in which derogatory remarks were made toward Lord Shiva.
“I could not tolerate this continuous insult and disrespect towards our Mahadev and said some things in response to it. If my words have caused discomfort or hurt religious feelings of anyone whatsoever, I hereby unconditionally withdraw my statement. It was never my intention to hurt anyone’s religious feelings,” she said.
Soon after BJP announced its action, Nupur, who has received threats, appealed to people not to disclose her address. Police have also raised security for her. Jindal also said that he has received a series of threats.
Islamic countries reacted to the controversy
Qatar: The controversy erupted as Vice President Venkaiah Naidu is on a two-day visit to Qatar to boost trade. Naidu met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani in Doha and held delegation-level talks and reviewed bilateral relations including trade, investment, economic and security cooperation. However, the Indian ambassador for Qatar was summoned by the foreign ministry.
Kuwait: Kuwait was among the first nations to slam the derogatory comments. Kuwait’s foreign ministry said it had summoned the Ambassador to India and handed him a protest note in which it completely “rejects and denounces the statements against the Holy Prophet”. It demanded a “public apology for these hostile statements.”
Iran: Iran too joined the chorus of condemnation. In Tehran, Indian Ambassador to Iran Dhamu Gaddam was summoned to the ministry of foreign affairs by the director-general of South Asia, where a strong protest was registered over the controversial remarks.
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia was the latest to condemn the remarks. It described Nupur’s comments as “insulting” and called for “respect for beliefs and religions”, according to a foreign ministry statement. However, like other nations, it welcomed the BJP’s action against the two leaders.
Pakistan: Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter to slam India. “I condemn in strongest possible words hurtful comments of India's BJP leader about our beloved Prophet (PBUH).”
OIC: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), based in the Saudi city of Jeddah, also condemned the remarks, saying they came in a “context of intensifying hatred and abuse towards Islam in India and systematic practices against Muslims”.
India has rejected comments by the grouping of Muslim nations as “unwarranted” and “narrow-minded”. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “The government of India accords the highest respect to all religions.”
India’s stand
India has said that the remarks were made by “fringe elements” and did not reflect the government’s opinion. It has also highlighted that the ruling BJP has taken action against the leaders, one of whom was the party’s national spokesperson and the other its media chief.
In a statement, the BJP said it is “strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion” and “does not promote such people or philosophy”.
