Suspends Nupur Sharma, expels NK Jindal; says party respects all religions
Amid growing demand in the Gulf countries to boycott Indian goods, with Qatar and Kuwait even summoning India’s Ambassadors and Pakistan adding its voice to the condemnation by Muslim nations over the controversial remarks of a BJP leader against Prophet Mohammed, the Saffron outfit on Sunday suspended its spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled the head of its Delhi media unit Naveen Kumar Jindal from the party. The BJP also issued a statement saying that it "strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities".
The crackdown on” hatemongers” came after the alleged insulting remark made by Nupur Sharma against the Prophet triggered the widespread protest. The Kanpur communal violence is the outcome of Nupur Sharma’s sacrilegious comment against the prophet.
Besides protests across Indian cities, Nupur Sharma’s comment has evoked outrage among Muslim nations with reports of a call for the boycott of Indian goods in the Gulf region.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also took to Twitter to condemn recent remarks made by BJP leaders on the Prophet.
"I condemn in the 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 Holy Prophet (PBUH) is supreme. All Muslims can sacrifice their life for the Love & Respect of their Holy Prophet (PBUH), " he wrote.
The BJP suspended Sharma from the party and relieved her of all responsibilities with immediate effect "pending an inquiry" for expressing positions contrary to those held by the BJP on various issues and in violation of rule 10 (a) of its constitution, according to communication to her from the party.
Suspended from the BJP following her alleged derogatory remark against Prophet Muhammad, Nupur Sharma on Sunday unconditionally withdrew the controversial statement made in a TV debate and said it was never her intention to hurt anyone's religious feelings.
Expelling its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal from the party, the BJP said his views