As Muslim world simmers with rage, Goyal says India will keep up good relations with Gulf
The United Nations (UN) has called for respect and tolerance for all religions after Iraq, Turkey, Malaysia, and Libya on Tuesday joined over a dozen Muslim countries in condemning the controversial remarks of now-suspended BJP spokespersons against Prophet Mohammad.
Echoing Centre’s efforts to reach out to the Arab nations, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said action has been taken against the persons (Nupur Sharma) and asserted that “good relations” would continue with the countries.
“We strongly encourage respect and tolerance for all religions,” said Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, late on Monday in a press briefing.
He was responding to a question by a Pakistani journalist on remarks by BJP’s former national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal against Prophet Mohammad.
“I’ve seen stories. I haven’t seen the remarks themselves, but I mean, regardless, I can tell you that we strongly encourage respect and tolerance for all religions,” Dujarric said.
Reacting to the row, Goyal said the controversy had not impacted the NDA dispensation as Nupur is not a Government functionary an stressed that good relations will continue with the Gulf countries that have reacted sharply to the issue.
“I don’t think that this statement was made by any Government functionary and, therefore, it has no impact on the Government and necessary action has been taken by the party,” Goyal, Minister for Commerce and Industry, told reporters in Kochi, Kerala when asked about the controversy.
He said the External Affairs Ministry has clarified the issue. “The Foreign Office has come out with a clear clarification on that remark and the BJP has taken the necessary action in this regard. With all these countries, we have a very good relationship and our relations will continue to be very good,” he said. When asked about a social media campaign to boycott Indian products in the wake of the row, the Minister said he has not heard of any such thing.
“They have only mentioned that such a statement should not be made and accordingly, action has been taken against the person who made the comments. All the Indians living in gulf countries are safe and do not have to worry,” the Union Minister said.
Earlier, Iraq and Libya joined over a dozen Muslim countries in condemning the controversial remarks made by now-suspended BJP spokesperson.
The Iraqi statement said, “these abuses, malicious and disgraceful acts will have serious repercussions and, if not contained, may lead to dire consequences that will have unimaginable consequences for the peaceful coexistence, as well as increase strife and tensions between peoples,” according to the official Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The Indian Embassy in its statement said “in line with our civilisational heritage and strong cultural traditions of unity in diversity, Government of India accords the highest respect of all religions. Strong action has already been taken against those who made the derogatory remarks.”
A statement has also been issued by concerned quarters emphasising respect for all religions, denouncing insults to any religious personality or demeaning any religion or sect, it said.
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As UN chips in, India tries to undo ‘remarks’ damage
“Vested interests that are against India-Iraq relations have been inciting the people using these derogatory comments. We should work together against such mischievous elements who aim to undercut the strength of our bilateral ties,” said the statement, which was identical to the statements issued by the Indian embassies in Kuwait and Qatar on Sunday.
Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a statement “strongly condemned” the “insulting remarks” and called for the consolidation of the values of tolerance and coexistence and the rejection of the discourse of violence and hatred.
Egypt-based Arab Parliament also expressed its strong condemnation of, and rejection of the “irresponsible remarks issued by the spokeswoman of India’s ruling (BJP) against Prophet Mohammad.”
In a statement, the Arab Parliament affirmed that such remarks fully contradict the principle of tolerance, and interfaith dialogue, and lead to hate, Kuwait’s State-run KUNA news agency reported.
On Monday, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the Maldives, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman and Afghanistan condemned the controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammad, stressing the importance of respecting all religious beliefs. Qatar, Iran and Kuwait on Sunday summoned India’s Ambassadors and expressed their strong protest and condemnation of the controversial remarks.
Facing such sharp reactions from these countries, the BJP had issued a statement asserting that it respects all religions and strongly denounces insults of any religious personality.
India shares strong and robust ties with these countries and its trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) including Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE was more than 90 billion dollars in 2020-21.