Qatar protests BJP leader’s remarks against Prophet Muhammad The Indian ambassador was summoned to protest. The Qatari government said the reference was reprehensible and welcomed the suspension.
BJP takes disciplinary action
BJP takes disciplinary action against leaders National spokesperson Nupur Sharma has been suspended from primary membership. Delhi Media in-charge Naveen Kumar Jindal has been sacked. BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said the party respects all religions. Nupur later explained that he did not intend to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments and made the reference when his religious beliefs were hurt. Security has been beefed up in UP following the clashes in Kanpur over Nupur’s remarks. The main accused in the Kanpur riots has been arrested.
BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma made the controversial remark during a TV talk show and Delhi BJP media in-charge Naveen Kumar Jindal on Twitter about the Prophet Muhammad. The reference was made in the context of the Gyanwapi church issue. The Maharashtra Police had registered an FAR against Nupur. Criticism of the two men was high in the Gulf countries as well. BJP national general secretary Arun Singh has said that the party will not support individuals or ideologies that denigrate any religion.
Hayat Jafar Hashmi, the main accused in the riots in Kanpur on Friday, and three others involved in the conspiracy were arrested in connection with Nupur Sharma’s remarks. They are members of the Maulana Ali Jauhar Fans Association. The accused were remanded for 14 days. Security has been beefed up at various places in UP in the wake of the Kanpur clashes. A curfew was imposed in Bareilly until July 3 as part of precautionary measures. On June 10, a Muslim cleric, Takhir Raza, called for a major uprising. Forty people, including 13 policemen, were injured in Friday’s clashes