Referring to Friday’s Supreme Court’s sharp observations on BJP leader Nupur Sharma and her anti-Islam remarks, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said the atmosphere in the country has been created by the ruling party.
“It is not the person who made the comment, it is the Prime Minister, it is the Home Minister, it is BJP and RSS that have created this environment in the country,” Gandhi told reporters in Kerala.
The top court said former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma “is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country”, while referring to the massive outrages against Nupur Sharma and recent Udaipur murder.
Rahul said this environment of anger and hatred in the country is an anti-national act.
“It is against the interest of India, against the interest of the people and is completely wrong,” he said.
Congress leader added that as his party, “we build bridges between people, we build bridges between communities, and we bring people together. We don’t believe in solving problems through hatred,” he said.
Hearing a plea filed by BJP leader Nupur Sharma seeking transfer of the FIRs against her to Delhi, the Supreme Court slammed the Hindutva politician for her Islamophobic remarks on the Prophet. Accusing Sharma of “igniting emotions across the country”, the apex court said that she owed the nation an apology.
Suspended BJP Spokesperson, Nupur Sharma, approached the Supreme Court seeking a direction to transfer to New Delhi for investigation, into nearly a dozen of FIRs, registered against her in various states for her remarks on the prophet.
The vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala slammed heavily on Nupur Sharma and said she and her loose tongue has set the entire country on fire. Her outburst is responsible for the unfortunate incident at Udaipur, the SC says.
The apex court refused to entertain Sharma’s plea to club the multiple FIRs registered over her in many states, for her remarks on the prophet Muhammed in a TV channel debate, forcing her to withdraw her petition.
The SC said the petition is dismissed as withdrawn with liberty (to the petitioner, Nupur Sharma) to pursue alternate remedies.
“The petition smacks of her arrogance, that the Magistrates of the country are too small for her,” Justice Surya Kant said.
“When a FIR is registered and you are not arrested, this shows your clout. She thinks she has back up power and makes irresponsible statements”, the court said during the hearing.
“This lady is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country,” the top court said, according to Bar & Bench.
Appearing for Sharma, Senior advocate Maninder Singh, pointed out that she had apologised for her comments. To which, the court said: “She should have gone to the TV and apologized to the nation.”
“She was too late to apologise and withdraw the statement,” the Supreme Court said. She withdrew the statement conditionally, saying if sentiments hurt, observed the Supreme Court.
