!-- Google tag (gtag.js) -->

Muslim Nations Demand Indian Apology Over BJP Officials’ Comments on Prophet Muhammad

Two senior media personnel from India’s ruling BJP made inflammatory remarks against the Prophet on Twitter, drawing fierce domestic and global condemnation.

June 6, 2022

Author

Statecraft Staff
Muslim Nations Demand Indian Apology Over BJP Officials’ Comments on Prophet Muhammad 
The BJP has responded by suspending the pair and saying their comments are not representative of the party or the country.
IMAGE SOURCE: THE QUINT

Several Islamic nations have lodged formal protests with India over Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma and Delhi media chief Naveen Kumar Jindal’s controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad. 

On Friday, Sharma said certain aspects about Prophet Mohammed from the Holy Quran could be mocked, while Jindal supported her by saying that the Prophet had “married a six-year-old girl and had sex with her at nine years.”

The comments have also resulted in calls for bans and boycotts on Indian products. 

The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation said the comments come against the backdrop of an “escalation of hatred and abuse of Islam in India,” pointing to the recent hijab ban in educational institutions and recent incidents of violence against the community. 

In response, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson  Arindam Bagchi said the government “categorically rejects” the “unwarranted and narrow-minded comments” by the OIC Secretariat. He clarified that the statements were made by individuals whose views do not reflect those of the Indian government.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, summoned Indian Ambassador Deepak Mittal to express its “disappointment” and “total rejection and condemnation” of the comments. Minister of State for Foreign affairs Soltan bin Saad Ali-Muraikhi demanded a “public apology and immediate condemnation” by the Indian government.

Furthermore, in a tweet, Qatari Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwah Alkhater said that Islamophobia in India had “reached dangerous levels” despite the country’s history of “diversity and coexistence.”

The controversy in fact coincides with Indian Vice President Venkaiah Naidu’s visit to Qatar, where he is meeting with several senior officials from the government. Concerningly, a scheduled meeting with a Qatari government official was cancelled. However, it is unclear if it was a direct result of the aforementioned controversy.

Like Qatar, Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry, too, summoned Indian Ambassador Sibi George to express the country’s “categorical rejection and condemnation” of the remarks, which it said ignored Islam’s commitment to nature, peace, and civilisation.

The Indian embassy responded by saying that Sharma and Jindal’s comments  do not “reflect the views” of the Indian government and merely indicated opinions of “fringe elements.” It further claimed that those with “vested interests” and “mishievous elements” are using the comments to undermine bilateral ties.

Iran also summoned India’s envoy, Gaddam Sharmendra, and rejected the statement, calling for a public condemnation. Likewise, Saudi Arabia issued its “permanent rejection of prejudice” against Islam. In a similar vein, Bahrain issued a statement underscoring the importance of “spreading the values of moderation, tolerance and dialogue between religions and civilizations, and addressing radical ideas that feed sedition and religious, sectarian or racial hatred.”

Likewise, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that India has been “trampling religious freedoms and persecuting Muslims.” On a similar note, the Pakistani Foreign Office accused the BJP of causing “pain and anguish” to Muslims across the globe. Echoing Sharif’s claims, it alleged that that Indian Muslims are being “systematically stigmatized, marginalised and subjected to a well-orchestrated onslaught from radical Hindu mobs with full connivance and support of the security apparatus across various states in India.”

In response to growing domestic and international condemnation, the BJP issued a statement affirming that it “respects all religions” and is “strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion,” saying it “does not promote such people or philosphy.” It went on to say that each citizen of India has a constitutional right to practice their religion of choice in a country where “all are equal and everyone lives with dignity [and] where all are committed to India’s unity and integrity.”

The party also suspended both Sharma and Jindal, with Sharma’s suspension letter noting that she had “expressed views contrary to the Party’s position on various matters.” Furthermore, the Central Disciplinary Committee has initiated a probe into the violation of the party’s rules, pending which she would remain suspended.

Jindal, meanwhile, had his primary membership cancelled for disturbing “communal harmony” and violating “the basic thought of the party.”

Sharma also apologised “unconditionally” and withdrew her statement. She said that Hindu gods have been “insulted and disrespected” in several other media debates and her comments were merely in response to those remarks. However, she added, “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.”

That being said, Sharma refused to admit culpability until receiving a letter from the disciplinary committee, insisting that she had the backing of several senior BJP leaders, including former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, Jindal said that he believes that all religions should be respected. He clarified that his comments were also in retaliation to insults floated against Hindu gods.

Sharma’s viral comments led to protests in Kanpur, where 40 people, including 20 police, were injured. 29 have been arrested and sent to 14-day judicial remand. Meanwhile, cases have been lodged against the BJP leaders in Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai.

Author

Statecraft Staff

Editorial Team

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay updated with the latest news from around the globe