Following the derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad (ﷺ) by two key Bharatiya Janta Party spokespersons and the backlash it followed, several Arab countries including Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain have called out for a boycott of Indian products from their superstores on social media.
The outrage comes after BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma made objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammed (ﷺ) during a panel discussion on an Indian news channel.
A large number of Twitter users in these countries including the Grand Mufti of Oman called out for a mass boycott of Indian products in the Arab countries. Several stores have reportedly removed Indian products after the row, Newsroom Post reported
Grand Mufti of Oman Sheikh Al-Khalili tweeted: “The insolent and obscene rudeness of the official spokesman for the ruling extremist party in India against the Messenger of Islam, peace be upon him, and his pure wife, Mother of the Believers Aisha, may God be pleased with her, is a war against every Muslim in the east and west of the earth, and it is a matter that calls for all Muslims to rise as one nation, (sic)”.
Earlier on Sunday, Bhartiya Janta Party expelled two party spokespersons for making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Muslim community.
It suspended Nupur Sharma, one of its national spokespersons, from the party’s primary membership for her anti-Islam remarks made during television debate last month.
The BJP’s Delhi unit expelled Naveen Kumar Jindal, who heads the party’s media unit in Delhi for his inflammatory tweets about the Prophet (ﷺ).
Expelling Jindal, the BJP said his views on social media vitiate communal harmony and are in violation of its fundamental beliefs.
“Your primary membership is immediately terminated and you are expelled from the party,” a communication from its Delhi president Adesh Gupta said.
A communication to Sharma from the party’s disciplinary committee 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 BJP earlier asserted that it respects all religions and strongly denounces insult of any religious personality.
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.
Pertinently, there has been a widespread protest against Sharma’s derogatory comments on the television channel against the Prophet (ﷺ).
Meanwhile, the foreign ministries of Qatar, Iran and Kuwait have summoned the Indian ambassadors.
The three countries have summoned India’s ambassadors and handed over to them protest notes on what the Gulf countries called categorical “rejection and condemnation” of the controversial remarks.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has also slammed India for the ‘hate’ comments and called upon the UN to take necessary measures to address “the practices targeting Muslims in India”.
“These abuses come in the context of the escalation of hatred and abuse of Islam in India and in the context of the systematic practices against Muslims and restrictions on them, especially in light of a series of decisions banning headscarves in educational institutions in a number of Indian states and demolitions of Muslim property, in addition to the increase in violence against them,” it said.
The Muslim body was joined by Pakistan in condemning the remarks by BJP members.
“I condemn in 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),” tweeted Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif.
The OIC called upon Indian to resolutely confront these abuses and to ensure the safety, security and well-being of the Muslim community in India and to protect its rights, religious and cultural identity, dignity and places of worship.
Meanwhile, India today rejected the OIC statement calling it “unwarranted and narrow-minded comments”.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “We have seen the statement on India from the General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Government of India categorically rejects OIC Secretariat’s unwarranted and narrow-minded comments.”
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