Oman (Oman), Indonesia, Iraq, Maldives, Jordan, and Libya have joined the growing number of Islamic countries that have condemned the comments. Kuwait, Iran, and Qatar called Indian ambassadors earlier to voice their disapproval. Saudi Arabia also issued a strongly crafted statement. Indian diplomats have attempted to placate these countries. It has cordial relations with almost all of them, but the storm isn’t over. Nupur Sharma is at the heart of this controversy. She was a spokesperson for the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. In a televised debate, she commented. Videos of her speech went viral. Naveen Jindal, the media head for the party’s Delhi branch, also wrote a provocative tweet about the issue.
Critics argue that Ms. Sharma and Mr. Jindal reflect the religious polarisation the country has experienced over the past several years. Hate speech has risen rapidly since 2014 when the BJP came into power.
There were also protests in some other states. Their comments, especially Ms. Sharma’s, offended the country’s Muslim minority community. The BBC isn’t repeating the remarks of Ms. Sharma because they are offensive.
Indian diplomats have attempted to placate these countries. It has cordial relations almost with them, but the storm isn’t over.
Nupur Sharma is the spokesperson of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party – BJP, and she is currently at the center. In a televised debate, she commented. Videos of her speech went viral. Naveen Jindal, the media head for the party’s Delhi branch, also wrote a provocative Tweet about the issue.
Both leaders issued a public apology, and the party dismissed Ms. Sharma. Mr. Jindal was expelled.
“The BJP denounces any insult to any religious personality of any divinity.” The BJP is against any thought that offends or degrades any religion or sect. In a statement, the BJP stated that it does not support such people and philosophy.
Experts believe that the BJP may not have enough to respond after the international attention to the country’s internal problems. These statements clearly show the anger of the Islamic religion.
Qatar indicated that it expects India to apologize publicly.
“Allowing such Islamophobic sentiments to go unpunished is a major threat to human rights and may lead to greater prejudice and marginalization, creating a cycle of violence and hatred,” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned.
Saudi Arabia’s statement also contained some very strong words. It said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry condemned the announcements made by the BJP’s spokeswoman.
The views of “fringe members,” according to India’s ambassador in Qatar, Deepak Mittal, are not representative of the Indian government. Senior BJP leaders and diplomats strongly criticized the statement.
India has been chastised by the 57 members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Pakistan. On the other hand, Delhi blasted both of them, as it always does, calling their remarks “unwarranted and narrow-minded.”
Analysts believe that top party and government leaders will need to make statements on the issue. This could hurt India’s relations with the Arab countries and Iran.
Critics believe religious polarization is rising in India after the BJP took power. The last few weeks have been very tense. Some Hindu groups sought permission to pray at a century-old mosque in Varanasi, claiming it was built upon the ruins of an old temple.
India’s clout is protecting it from further damage. “As worried as Delhi should have been about this angry response from such an important strategic region, India is protected from further damage.” According to him, the Gulf states are dependent on India to continue importing energy. They need Indians to stay in India and to do business with India.
