International condemnation over BJP member anti-Muslim statements

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Jun 2022 19:04

After the statement of Nupur Sharma, the spokesperson of the Indian ruling party (BJP), criticizing Prophet Muhammad, several countries voice their condemnation.

International condemnation over BJP member's anti-Muslim statements

Qatar summoned today, Sunday, the Indian Ambassador to the country to hand him an official condemnation note over the statements of a ruling party (BJP) official against Prophet Muhammad.

The Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian Ambassador Deepak Mittal on Sunday and issued him an official message expressing regret and absolute rejection and condemnation of the inflammatory remarks made against Prophet Mohammed by now-suspended and expelled BJP officials.

On his part, Ambassador Deepak Mittal stated that the tweets about Prophet Mohammed do not reflect the views of the Indian government in any way. According to the Indian Embassy, these are the views of fringe elements.

On its part, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Indian ambassador in Tehran, informing him of its protest against insulting Prophet Muhammad on an Indian TV program.

Likewise, the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry summons the Indian ambassador and hands him a note of protest against statements insulting the Prophet Muhammad.

BJP attempts to defuse a dispute

The BJP suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and fired its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal on Sunday after they made insulting statements about Prophet Muhammad, attempting to defuse a dispute over the matter.

In response to Muslim organizations' protests over the remarks, the party published a statement intended at assuaging minorities' fears and distancing itself from these individuals, claiming that it respects all religions and vehemently condemns insulting any religious personality.

Following the action, Sharma unequivocally retracted her controversial statement made during a TV debate, claiming that her comments were in response to "constant insult and contempt against our Mahadev."

India's ruling party "strongly condemns insulting any religious figures"

For its part, the ruling Indian Bharatiya Janata Party declared its "respect for all religions", strongly condemning insulting any religious figures, against the background of the ruling party's spokesman Nupur Sharma's statements against the Prophet Muhammad.

In a statement, the party said that it "strongly opposes any ideology that insults or degrades any sect or religion," noting that it "does not promote such people or philosophy."

Several regions in India witnessed angry demonstrations and clashes between Muslims and the police after Friday prayers, due to the statements .of a spokesman for the ruling party.

Uttar Pradesh police have arrested 800 people, arrested 24, and detained 12 for questioning in connection with the protests in Kanpur.

#Except_Messenger_God_Ya_Modi

Many Arab activists used the hashtag #Except_Messenger_God_Ya_Modi to condemn disrespectful and blasphemous remarks made by a spokesperson for India's ruling BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, against Prophet Muhammad, amid demands for a boycott of India.

On June 1, BJP spokesperson Naveen Kumar Jindal tweeted on his official account on Twitter, asking why Prophet Muhammad married Aisha when she was not 20 years old yet.

This tweet infuriated Muslims around the world because the Indian politician's remarks crossed the line, especially because India is experiencing an unprecedented wave of intolerance and pressure on Muslims.

Boycott Indian Products#إلا_رسول_الله_يا_مودي pic.twitter.com/2n1LjVQbDz
— جلال عبد اللطيف (@abuaboudd1616) June 4, 2022

Several Indian towns and states have seen widespread and organized campaigns of persecution against the Muslim minority in recent months, backed by radical Hindus' violence.

The decision to prohibit the wearing of headscarves in schools and educational institutions, as well as the demolition of Muslim property, have all drawn widespread outrage.