Now, Saudi Arabia condemns former BJP spokesperson’s Prophet comments

New Delhi, 06 June 2022 [Fik/News Sources]:  Saudi Arabia has condemned and denounced statements by the now suspended BJP spokesperson which constituted an insult to the Prophet Mohammed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh said.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condemnation and denunciation of the statements made by the spokeswoman of the Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), insulting the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and reaffirms its permanent rejection of prejudice against the symbols of the Islamic religion, alongside all religious figures and symbols,” Saudi state news agency SPA quoted the Ministry as saying.

Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal

On Sunday, the BJP suspended party spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal for their comments on Prophet Muhammad and said that party’s view is to respect all religions.

Sharma was the party national spokesperson and Jindal the spokesperson and head of media department of the BJP Delhi unit.

The Saudi Ministry welcomed the BJP’s measures and reiterated the Kingdom’s position calling for respecting all beliefs and religions, Al Arabiya reported.

Gulf states Qatar and Kuwait have summoned their Indian ambassadors.

Doha demanded the Indian government issue a public apology over Sharma’s comments.

After being suspended, Sharma issued an apology and said she unconditionally withdraw her statement, adding that it was never her intention to hurt anyone’s religious feelings.

Earlier report

After Qatar & Kuwait, Iran too upset with comments on Prophet, summons Indian envoy

New Delhi/Tehran, Jun 6 (IANS): Weeks ahead of its Foreign Minister’s India visit, Tehran has summoned the Indian envoy to its Foreign Ministry over the comments of now expelled and suspended BJP leaders on Prophet Mohammad.

Prior to Iran, Qatar and Kuwait had also summoned Ambassadors of India and handed over them protest notes.

The Indian Embassy in Qatar had already issued a statement, saying that the “Ambassador had a meeting in the Foreign Office in which concerns were raised with regard to some offensive tweets by individuals in India denigrating the religious personality. Ambassador conveyed that the tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India. These are the views of fringe elements”.

Indian and Iranian flags

The Qatar government, in a statement, said: “State of Qatar welcomed the statement issued by the ruling party in India in which it announced the suspension of the party’s official from practicing his activities in the party due to his remarks that angered all Muslims around the world.”

Noting that Qatar is expecting a public apology and immediate condemnation of these remarks by the Indian government of India, it pointed out “that allowing such Islamophobic remarks to continue without punishment, constitutes a grave danger to the protection of human rights and may lead to further prejudice and marginalisation, which will create a cycle of violence and hate”.— IANS