New Delhi: Several countries across the world including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia condemned the remark made by two BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal against the Prophet. The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday summoned the Indian Charge d’ Affaires and conveyed the Islamabad government’s “categorical rejection and strong condemnation” of the derogatory remarks made by two former spokespersons of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the Prophet. The Indian envoy was told that these remarks were totally unacceptable and had not only deeply hurt the sentiments of the people of Pakistan but also of the Muslims across the world, Dunya News quoted the ministry as saying.
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It was further said that Pakistan “deplores the belated and perfunctory disciplinary actions taken by the BJP government against the said officials, which cannot assuage the pain caused to the Muslims.” “Pakistan is deeply concerned at the alarming rise in communal violence and hatred against the Muslims in India. 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,” the ministry said in a statement.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Arif Alvi, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and former premier Imran Khan have all condemned the remarks made by the former BJP spokespersons Sharma and Jindal. On Sunday, the BJP suspended Sharma and Jindal for their comments on Prophet Muhammad and said that party’s view is to respect all religions. Pakistan has joined Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Iran to condemn the remarks. India’s ambassadors to Kuwait and Qatar were summoned on Sunday to receive official notes of protest over the comments. Doha has also demanded the Indian government issue a public apology.
Global backlash forced BJP to suspend Sharma, Jindal
Meanwhile, Congress leader P Chidambaram hit out at the BJP after two of its leaders were suspended for their remarks against the Prophet Muhammad saying it was the international backlash that forced the party to act. “Domestic criticism did not impel the BJP to act against the two spokespersons. It was only the international backlash that pushed the BJP to take action.” “Mrs Nupur Sharma and Mr Naveen Kumar were not the original creators of Islamophobia, “Remember, they were trying to be more loyal than the king,” he added.
On Sunday, the Congress came down heavily on the BJP for its action against party spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, calling it ‘blatantly counterfeit pretence, which is evidently farce’. Randeep Singh Surjewala, party General Secretary said: “BJP’s statement today saying it is, ‘strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion’ is nothing but a blatantly counterfeit pretence, which is evidently farce and another sham attempt at damage control.”
