Remarks on the Prophet: Why BJP had to jump to damage-control mode
Nupur Sharma (R) and Naveen Kumar Jindal (L).
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal after their alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad led to protests from some Muslim countries.
After the controversial statements from the BJP leaders, there were demonstrations by Muslim groups, and countries like Kuwait, Qatar, Iran and Saudi Arabia had a strong reaction.
The BJP, jumping to damage-control mode, said that it respected all religions and strongly denounced insults of any religious personality.
'During the thousands of years of history of India every religion has blossomed and flourished. The BJP respects all religions. The BJP strongly denounces insults of any religious personalities of any religion,' said party General Secretary Arun Singh.
THE CONTROVERSY
Nupur Sharma made the controversial statements in a TV news debate 10 days ago. During the debate on the Gyanvapi issue, Sharma said that Muslims were mocking the Hindu religion by making fun of the Shivling and repeatedly calling it a fountain. She then allegedly made derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad and Islamic religious symbols and beliefs.
More than a week later, Naveen Kumar Jindal posted a tweet allegedly mocking Islam and made controversial statements against Prophet Muhammad. After the backlash over his post, Jindal deleted the tweet.
VIOLENCE IN KANPUR
Nupur Sharma's comments allegedly led to violence in UP's Kanpur. At least 40 people, including 20 police personnel, were injured in the clashes.
The violence broke out in Pared, Nai Sadak and Yateemkhana areas of the city on Friday, June 3, when some people tried to force shopkeepers to down shutters over allegedly insulting remarks made by the BJP spokesperson against Prophet Muhammad during a TV debate, reported PTI quoting the police.
The UP Police has so far arrested 29 people and also set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident.
UPROAR IN THE MUSLIM WORLD
After the controversial remarks by BJP leaders, there was a huge uproar in the Muslim world. While Qatar, Kuwait and Iran summoned India's envoys to register their protest, Pakistan also condemned the remarks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Summons the Indian Ambassador and Hands Him an Official Note on Qatar’s Total Rejection and Condemnation of the Remarks of an Official in the Ruling Party in India Against Prophet Mohammed#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/rp7kMnWXdu
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) June 5, 2022
On Monday, June 6, Saudi Arabia also slammed Sharma’s remarks on Prophet Muhammad and welcomed the BJP's move to suspend its spokesperson. The controversy also sparked a Twitter trend calling for a boycott of Indian products in some Muslim countries.
'I condemn in strongest possible words hurtful comments of India's BJP leader about our beloved Prophet,' said Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif in a tweet.
I condemn in strongest possible words hurtful comments of India's BJP leader about our beloved Prophet (PBUH). Have said it repeatedly India under Modi is trampling religious freedoms & persecuting Muslims. World should take note & severely reprimand India. Our love for the >
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 5, 2022
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said in a tweet that it rejects any violation and infringement of Islamic symbols and important figures of all religions.
#Statement | The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the statements made by the spokeswoman of the #Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (#BJP), insulting the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. pic.twitter.com/VLQwdXuPuq
— Foreign Ministry ?? (@KSAmofaEN) June 5, 2022
CLARIFICATION AND APOLOGY FROM BJP LEADERS
After the action, Sharma unconditionally withdrew her controversial statement and claimed that her comments were a reaction to the 'continuous insult and disrespect towards Lord Shiva'.
'I have been attending TV debates for the past many days where our Mahadev was being insulted and disrespected continuously. It was mockingly being said that it is not Shivling but a fountain. The Shivling was also being ridiculed by comparing it to roadside signs and poles in Delhi,' Sharma said in a statement.
— Nupur Sharma (@NupurSharmaBJP) June 5, 2022
'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.
Naveen Kumar Jindal, meanwhile, said he had asked a question from people who are spreading hatred, but he didn't want to hurt anyone's religious sentiments. 'I am with all religions. Don't give hate to us, we won't give hate to anyone,' he told ANI.
Both Sharma and Jindal have also requested people on social media not to disclose their addresses, saying they and their families are facing threats.
मेरा सभी से विशेष आग्रह हैं कृप्या मेरा पता सार्वजनिक न करे मुझे और मेरे परिवार को लगातार जान से मारने की धमकियां सोशल मीडिया पर भी दी जा रही हैं। @DelhiPolice @CPDelhi @LtGovDelhi कृप्या संज्ञान ले।
— Naveen Kumar Jindal ?? (@naveenjindalbjp) June 5, 2022