New Delhi, June 5: The BJP on Sunday suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal after their alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad, as it sought to defuse a raging row over the issue.
Amid protests by Muslim groups over the remarks which have also caused a stir abroad, especially in Arab countries, the BJP issued a statement aimed at assuaging the concerns of minorities and distancing itself from these members, asserting that it respects all religions and strongly denounces insult of any religious personality.
Sharma’s comments, made in a TV debate nearly 10 days back and Jindal’s now-deleted tweets, sparked a Twitter trend calling for a boycott of Indian products in some countries, while Qatar summoned the Indian ambassador and handed him an official note on its “total rejection and condemnation of the remarks of an official in the ruling party in India against Prophet Mohammed”.
With its members’ inflammatory comments stoking protests in the country, including violence in Kanpur, and drawing strong reactions from abroad, the BJP swung into action to control the damage.
Before cracking the whip on the two members, the ruling party also issued a statement underscoring its respect for all religions and their revered figures.
Party general secretary Arun Singh said in a statement that the party is strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion.
The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy, he said. The BJP statement, however, made no direct mention of any incident or comment.
The statement announcing action against Sharma and Jindal also made no particular reference to their controversial remarks.
The opposition Congress claimed the BJP’s action against its leaders is ‘’placatory’ and taken following ‘’threats from external powers”.
In his statement, BJP’s Arun Singh said, “During the thousands of years of history of India every religion has blossomed and flourished. The Bharatiya Janata Party respects all religions. The BJP strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities of any religion.” India’s Constitution gives the right to every citizen to practice any religion of his or her choice and to honour and respect every religion, he said.
“As India celebrates the 75th year of its Independence, we are committed to making India a great country where all are equal and everyone lives with dignity, where all are committed to India’s unity and integrity, where all enjoy the fruits of growth and development,” the BJP leader said.
The communication to Sharma from the party’s disciplinary committee secretary Om Pathak said she has expressed views contrary to the party’s position on various matters, which is in clear violation of its constitution.
“Pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities, assignments if any, with immediate effect,” it said.
The communication from Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta to Jindal said his views on social media vitiate communal harmony and are in violation of the party’s fundamental beliefs.
He has acted against the party’s policies and ideology, Gupta said.
“Your primary membership is immediately terminated and you are expelled from the party,” Gupta said.
Jindal said that he had tweeted asking a question to those attacking and insulting Hindu deities and it was not aimed at hurting the religious sentiments of any community.
After the action, Sharma unconditionally withdrew her controversial statement made in the TV debate and claimed that her comments were a reaction to “continuous insult and disrespect towards our Mahadev”’ (Lord Shiva).
Both Sharma and Jindal said it was never their intention to hurt anyone’s religious feelings. (PTI)
