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A row over remarks by India’s ruling celebration officers grew on Monday as a number of Muslim-majority nations summoned Indian diplomats.
The feedback by the now-suspended members of the Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) triggered extensive criticism from Arab and Muslim-majority nations, which say the feedback had been offensive and “Islamophobic.”
What triggered the row?
Final week, BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma commented on Prophet Muhammad’s youngest spouse throughout a televised debate, particularly about how previous she was believed to be after they married.
Her remarks had been blamed for clashes in an Indian state and prompted calls for for her arrest.
The BJP on Sunday mentioned it had suspended, and denounced “insult of any non secular personalities of any faith.”
Sharma took to Twitter to retract her assertion, saying that the feedback had been made in response to “insults” made towards the Hindu god Shiva.
The BJP additionally expelled spokesman Naveen Kumar Jindal over feedback made about Islam on social media. Jindal mentioned he questioned some feedback made towards Hindu gods on Twitter: “I solely questioned them however that doesn’t imply I’m towards any faith.”
How did Muslim nations react?
The Saudi-based Group of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) mentioned the remarks got here in a “context of intensifying hatred and abuse towards Islam in India and systematic practices towards Muslims.”
Resisting such allegations, International Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi mentioned India “categorically rejects OIC Secretariat’s unwarranted and narrow-minded feedback. The federal government of India accords the best respect to all religions.”
Bagchi additionally known as out Pakistan, which summoned an Indian diplomat on Monday and conveyed its “sturdy condemnation.”
He mentioned Islamabad was “a serial violator of minority rights” that ought to not interact “in alarmist propaganda and making an attempt to foment communal disharmony in India.”
Qatar’s International Ministry mentioned it had summoned the Indian ambassador and demanded that India apologize for the “Islamophobic” feedback. This comes as India’s Vice President Venkaiah Naidu was on a go to to the Gulf state to bolster commerce.
Doha mentioned it welcomed BJP’s choice to droop the official, however added that it was anticipating “a public apology and quick condemnation of those remarks from the federal government of India.”
Kuwait additionally summoned the Indian envoy at hand over a protest observe. Saudi Arabia described Sharma’s feedback as “insulting” and known as for “respect for beliefs and religions.”
With requires the boycott of Indian-made items spreading throughout a number of Muslim nations, the BJP-helmed authorities has been propelled into motion over 10 days after the feedback had been first made.
Non secular tensions have escalated in India in latest months, with critics saying they’re prompted by Indian tv anchors throughout raucous debates.
Edited by: Farah Bahgat
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