BJP suspends Nupur Sharma, expels Naveen Kumar Jindal for remarks against Prophet Mohammed

The BJP on Sunday suspended its spokesperson Nupur Sharma from the party and expelled another leader after their comments on Prophet Muhammad were widely condemned in the Arab world and led to calls for an economic boycott of Indian goods.

While Sharma was suspended for six years, Naveen Kumar Jindal, media chief of the saffron party’s Delhi unit, was expelled over the incident that comes against the backdrop of a series of communal clashes and tensions over mosques across the country.

In a sign of the growing Arab anger, Qatar, Kuwait and Iran summoned Indian ambassadors to lodge a protest. Qatar handed an official note to the ambassador, expressing its “disappointment” and “condemnation” over the remarks.

The statement said that Qatar is “expecting” a public apology and “immediate condemnation” of these remarks from the Government of India. The remarks also threw a spanner in Vice President Venkaiah Naidu’s visit to Qatar.

The party also issued a communication on Sunday, saying that it “respects all religions” and “strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities of any religion.” But it did not name either spokespersons in the statement.

“The BJP is also strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy,” the communiqué, issued by national general secretary Arun Singh, read.

Following the unexpected turn of events, Nupur said she reacted after Lord Shiva was “insulted and disrespected continuously” on TV debates. “If my words have caused discomfort or hurt religious feelings of anyone whatsoever, I hereby unconditionally withdraw my statement,” she tweeted.

Jindal, too, tweeted, saying he respects all religions.

The remarks of the duo against the Prophet led to a furore in the Arab world and incensed Muslims across the globe.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalili, the Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman, denounced the comments on Twitter. In a tweet in Arabic, issued Saturday night, he said the “the insolent and obscene rudeness of the official spokesman for the ruling extremist party” calls for “all Muslims to rise as one nation.”

Superstores in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain started removing Indian products.

In addition, a hashtag denouncing PM Narendra Modi was trending in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries for over two days.

During a news debate on an English news channel on the Gyanvapi Mosque, Nupur said that Muslims should be told “to shut up” and “stop insulting Hindus”.

Nupur’s comments led to communal clashes in Kanpur on Friday, leading to the arrests of 17 people and the closure of shops.

Multiple FIRs were filed against her in Pune, Hyderabad and Thane.

After his expulsion by Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta, Jindal filed an FIR with the Delhi Police seeking safety as, he said, his life was in danger.