The comment was made by Nupur Sharma, an official spokesman for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), during a television debate, while Naveen Jindal, the media head of the party’s Delhi branch, tweeted about it. The remarks, particularly those made by Ms Sharma, infuriated the country’s minority Muslim community, sparking intermittent protests in certain areas.
Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Qatar have condemned comments made by prominent leaders in India’s Bharatiya Janata Party against Prophet Muhammad, as calls for a boycott of Indian goods in Muslim countries spread on social media.
Kuwait summoned the Indian ambassador and stated it had delivered him a protest note in which Kuwait rejected and opposed the BJP official’s views.
Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs @majedalansari : Qatar Demands Public Apology from Indian Government for Remarks of Official in Ruling Party Against Prophet Mohammed#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/NnN1khKw6X
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) June 5, 2022
In 2020-21, India’s trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was $87 billion, including Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Millions of Indians live and work in these nations, sending remittances worth billions of dollars back home. In addition, the region is India’s primary source of energy imports.
Since taking office in 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a frequent visitor to the region. The country has already inked a free trade agreement with the UAE and is in the process of negotiating a larger accord with the GCC.
Saudi Based-OIC Responds to the Profane Remark
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – the world’s second-largest intergovernmental body after the United Nations, with a combined membership of over 1.8 billion people – also added its voice to the condemnation.
In a statement, the 57-member state organization noted, “The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the recent insults issued by an official in the ruling party in India towards the Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him.”
Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the statements made by the spokeswoman of the Indian Bharatiya Janata Party, which insult the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.”
“The Kingdom affirms its permanent rejection of any prejudice to all religious figures and symbols. The Kingdom also reaffirms its position calling for respect for beliefs and religions.”
Saudi Arabia’s Council Of Senior Scholars Condemned The Blasphemous Words
The Council of Senior Scholars of Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the blasfamous statements made by the spokeswoman of the Indian Bharatiya Janat Party against Allah’s Messenger Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
In a statement released today, the Saudi Council of Senior Scholars said: “Allah Almighty has preserved the station of Muhammad (PBUH) by saying: (Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the mockers), So the position of the Prophet, is preserved, and his honor is victorious, and the abuser is deserted.
Allah Almighty said: (Allah will suffice them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing). And He, the Exalted, said: (And we have raised your remembrance for you)
The Council called on Muslims to introduce Muhammad (PBUH), and what his eternal message and his fragrant biography contained in terms of goodness, righteousness and mercy for all people. Allah Almighty said: (And We have not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds)
It is also one of the requirements of believing in him as a prophet and messenger, as in the Almighty’s saying: (Those who believe in him, glorify him, support him, and follow the light that was sent down with him, they are the successful ones).
It is also the most eloquent response to those who try to offend his honor, peace and blessings be upon him, which his Lord described by His saying, Glory be to Him: (And you are of great character).”
Similarly, His Excellency The President of the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Abdur Rahman As Sudais in the strongest terms condemns and denounces the insulting statements made against the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم by the spokesperson of the Indian Bhartiya Janta Party.
BJP Suspends Spokesperson Nupur Sharma
On Sunday, the BJP issued a statement in which it stated that it respects all religions and condemns any insult to religious personality.
According to BJP papers and media sources, BJP national spokeswoman Nupur Sharma was suspended from the party’s primary membership over comments made during a recent televised discussion, and the BJP’s Delhi media operation chief Naveen Kumar Jindal was also ejected.
Sharma is reported to have insulted the prophet and his wife Aisha in a TV debate last week. Following an outcry over the comments made during the debate, Sharma’s colleague Jindal is reported to have posted a now-deleted tweet about the prophet that also angered many.
In a recent TV debate, Sharma is said to have insulted the prophet and his wife Aisha. Following the backlash for the debate’s remarks, Sharma’s colleague Jindal is said to have tweeted a now-deleted tweet against the prophet, which also enraged many.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian People’s Party, pro-Hindu political party of post independence India. The party has enjoyed broad support among members of the higher castes and in northern India. It has attempted to attract support from lower castes, particularly through the appointment of several lower-caste members to prominent party positions.
