Chinese FM urges India to abandon prejudice, arrogance against Muslims
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India, with its blatant crackdown on Muslims, is faced with international condemnation.
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Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin
According to Wang Wenbin, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, China hopes that India can settle a controversy that was caused by racist remarks by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the Prophet Muhammad.
Read more: What's behind Indian extremists’ anti-Muslim theory?
In late May, BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma made several remarks about Prophet Muhammad in a televised debate, which could be understood as hate speech.
In response, the Indian government distanced itself from controversy, forcing Sharma out of the party and taking away her membership. However, for many Muslims in India experiencing systemic ethnic violence, this was not enough. Mass protests have broken out nationwide, escalating the situation over the weekend.
Read more: Massive Muslim protests in Asia after India prophet comments
"We hope that the situation will be appropriately resolved," Wang told a briefing, adding that China has always been a strong advocate for a respectful and peaceful coexistence of civilizations and religions, stressing that India should abandon arrogance and prejudice.
Wenbin, furthermore, called for a deeper understanding between cultures in order to pave the way for more dialogue and harmony.
State violence
Muslim protesters in India have been met with state violence - and, even more so, destruction.
Authorities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have destroyed the houses of several people accused of being involved in last week's protests that took place across the country.
The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state, Yogi Adityanath, ordered officials this weekend to destroy any "illegal" buildings and houses of people accused of being involved in last week's "unrest" there, according to the BJP’s state spokesperson.
An alleged leader of the protests, whose daughter is a Muslim rights activist, had his house destroyed in the presence of the police on Sunday. Two other people accused of throwing stones after Friday prayers had their houses also demolished.
In the same province, 300 people have been detained, in addition to another 100 in West Bengal. Officers in Jharkhand launched 25 investigations into the unrest, in addition to the 2 deaths which happened. Police in Uttar Pradesh fired tear gas to disperse at least one rally after several demonstrations were organized across the northern state.
Authorities cut off internet connections in the city and imposed a curfew.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has so far not issued any comments.
