India’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has distanced itself from comments made by its leaders against the prophet Mohammed following major pushback from the Arab world. BJP’s statement says that the party “strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities of any religion”.
Comments by BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma during a television debate on Gyanvapi masjid last week and a tweet made by BJP leader Naveen Kumar Jindal saw global outrage, sparking calls for a boycott of Indian products in Arab countries.
Arun Singh, national general secretary of BJP, in the press release on Sunday says the party is “also strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy”.
Among many Muslim scholars, Grand Mufti of Oman Ahmed Al Khalili raised strong objections against insulting comments against Prophet Muhammed, who is considered a messenger of God by Muslims.
Since the BJP-led government got elected in India in 2014, the country has seen a spike in anti-Muslim violence and hate crimes. Many scholars see the situation as “genocidal” for Indian Muslims.
Many BJP leaders, in the past, have also made derogatory remarks against Islam. Recently, hate speeches by Hindu nationalist leaders campaigning to “kill Muslims” raised alarm among human rights watchdogs.
