The BJP-led government is tirelessly countenancing backlash from Gulf and other countries over the remark against Prophet Mohammad made by the party’s two leaders, Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal. Foreign ministries of Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have sternly condemned the remark and have even issued official statements, demanding an apology from the Party.
Soon after the controversy, the BJP had distanced itself from the remark and even suspended Nupur and Jindal for disrespecting the prophet.
Pakistan also condemned the objectionable statement. On Monday the Indian chargé d’affaires was summoned by Pakistan over the remarks made by the BJP leaders. Pakistan’s Foreign Office termed the comments “totally unacceptable”.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office told the Indian diplomat that it “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.”
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lauded the Indian government for its decision to of suspending Nupur Sharma.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the statements made by the spokeswoman of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. insulting Prophet Muhammed peace be upon him, and reaffirms its permanent rejection of prejudice against the symbols of the Islamic religion and refuses to prejudice all religious figures and symbols.” Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Office said in a statement.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar also called on India’s Ambassador and handed over an official note, saying expressing Qatar’s “total rejection of the statements of an official in the ruling party in India against the Prophet Mohammed.”
The spokesperson of the Qatar Foreign Ministry also stated, “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 marginalization, which will create a cycle of violence and hate.”
