bjp: Remarks against Prophet; BJP acts against 2 office-bearers Nupur Sharma and Naveen Zindal: Latest developments | India News

NEW DELHI: After remarks by its spokesperson Nupur Sharma against Prophet Mohammad, the BJP suspended her from the party‘s primary membership and expelled the media head of its Delhi unit, Naveen Kumar Jindal.
The BJP now is desperate to salvage its relations with Islamic, especially Arab nations, with Iran, Kuwait, and Qatar who have summoned the Indian ambassadors and handed over to them protest notes on what the Gulf countries called categorical “rejection and condemnation” of the controversial remarks.
Besides, Saudi Arabia on Monday joined Qatar, Iran and Kuwait to express its condemnation of the controversial remarks of a BJP leader against Prophet Mohammed and called for “respect for beliefs and religions.”

Here are the key developments in the story-
BJP suspends Nupur Sharma, expels Naveen Kumar Jindal in damage-control exercise
Sharma, who made the alleged anti-Islamic remarks during a TV debate last month on the Gyanvapi mosque issue in Varanasi, was suspended “with immediate effect” for expressing “views contrary to the Party’s position on various matters, which is in clear violation of Rule 10 (a) of constitution of the BJP.”
Along with her, Jindal, whose views on social media, the party said, will vitiate communal harmony and are in violation of its fundamental beliefs, had his membership “immediately terminated” and was “expelled from the party.”
An afterthought
Sharma’s suspension and Jindal’s expulsion came several hours after the hardcore right wing Hindutva party first issued a statement denouncing the “insult of any religious personalities of any religion” and claiming that it not only “respects all religions” but also “does not promote such people or philosophy.”

After the BJP’s action, its minority cell head Jamal Siddiqui said it showed the “actual face” of the party and sent a message to the rank and file that no one would be allowed to violate Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s mantra of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’.
The Congress and other opposition parties claimed the BJP’s action against its leaders is ”placatory’ and taken following ”threats” and ”pressure” from ”external powers”.
Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, however, accused the BJP of pushing India into a dark age of religious polarisation to “subserve its parochial political agenda in the short term”.
Global pressure
The BJP’s action against the duo coincides with the anger and resentment against them in several Arab countries, which are particularly important for India’s crude oil supply.

In Qatar where a Boycott India campaign is playing out, the Indian ambassador was at pains to explain that remarks by both Sharma and Jindal were ‘views of fringe elements’.
In Oman, its grand mufti, Sheikh Ahmad bin Hamad Al-Khalil, tweeted that Sharma’s “obscene” remarks were tantamount to declaring a “war against every Muslim.”
The foreign ministries of the two Gulf countries – Qatar and Kuwait – welcomed the statement issued by the ruling party in India in which it announced the suspension of the leader.
Saudi Arabia in a statement, expressed its condemnation and denunciation of the statements made by the BJP spokesperson, saying it insulted Prophet Mohammed. The ministry reiterated its “permanent rejection of prejudice against the symbols of the Islamic religion.” It also rejected anything that give rise to prejudice against “all religious figures and symbols.”

While welcoming the measures taken by the BJP to suspend the spokeswoman, the ministry reaffirmed the “Kingdom’s position calling for respect for beliefs and religions”.
The controversial remarks also sparked a Twitter trend in the Arab world calling for a boycott of Indian products.
Sharma and Jindals’s reaction
After the action, Sharma unconditionally withdrew her controversial statement made in the TV debate and claimed that her comments were a reaction to “continuous insult and disrespect towards our Mahadev“‘ (Lord Shiva).
Both Sharma and Jindal said it was never their intention to hurt anyone’s religious feelings.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Nupur Sharma said, “I have been attending TV debates for the past many days where our Mahadev was being insulted and disrespected continuously. It was mockingly being said that it is not Shivling but a fountain. The Shivling was also being ridiculed by comparing it to roadside signs and poles in Delhi.”

She was apparently referring to the claims of Hindu groups about the presence of a Shivling at the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi.
She added, “If my words have caused discomfort or hurt religious feelings of anyone whatsoever, I hereby unconditionally withdraw my statement. It was never my intention to hurt anyone’s religious feelings.”
Muslim groups have been holding protests demanding action against Sharma. Cases have been filed against her in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune, accusing her of hurting religious sentiments.
Both Sharma and Jindal also requested people on Twitter not to disclose their addresses, saying they and their families are facing threats.

Their messages were apparently in reaction to some users sharing the party’s communications to them on the action against them, as the letters carried their addresses too.
5 more held, SIT set up to probe
The Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday arrested five more people in connection with the Kanpur violence, taking the number of total arrests to 29, and set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident.
Kanpur police commissioner has formed a SIT under a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) level officer to investigate the violence.
According to the Kanpur Commissioner of Police Vijay Singh Meena, the SIT will be headed by DCP South Sanjeev Tyagi who will be assisted by Additional DCP (West) Brajesh Srivastava, ACP (Anwarganj) Akmal Khan, ACP (Colonelganj) Tirpurari Pandey, along with an inspector and two sub-inspectors.
The chief of Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) Naveen Arora also visited Kanpur on Sunday and interacted with the police teams investigating the incident.

All accused in Kanpur clash sent to 14-day judicial remand
All accused, including key conspirator Hayat Zafar Hashmi, were sent to 14-day judicial remand on Sunday in connection with the Kanpur violence case.
They were taken to District Jail in Kanpur by the police after they were sent on a 14-day remand.
(With inputs from agencies)