Nupur Sharma’s
comments on Prophet Mohammad has landed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a
soup. Sharma, BJP’s national spokesperson, removed after her comments on the
Prophet, made certain remarks during a television debate that were deemed
derogatory, leading to a wave of condemnation. Along with Sharma, Naveen Jindal’s
Twitter post about the Prophet, since removed, also created a stir. Jindal, who
was BJP’s media chief, has also been suspended.

While Sharma’s
comments drew some criticism domestically, critical condemnation came from the
Muslim world. Qatar, where Indian Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu is visiting to
meet Indian business leaders in order to boost investment, was the first to
condemn the remarks.

Qatar as well as
Kuwait summoned Indian Ambassadors posted in the countries and gave protest
notes rejecting and condemning Nupur Sharma’s comments. Later, Saudi Arabia,
Riyadh and Iran joined in amid calls in the Gulf to drop Indian products from
supermarket shelves.

Qatar’s foreign
ministry told the Indian Ambassador that “Qatar is expecting a public apology
and immediate condemnation of these remarks from the government of India.” It
said that allowing such Islamophobic comments to continue without punishment,
constitutes a grave danger to human rights and may lead to further prejudice
and marginalisation, which will create a cycle of hate. The sentiment was echoed
across the Gulf world.

The Indian
Ambassador to Qatar said the comments did not, in any way, reflect the opinion
of the government of India. “Strong action has already been taken against those
who made the derogatory remarks,” the Indian Ambassador to Qatar said. “In line
with our civilisational heritage and strong cultural traditions of unity in
diversity, Government of India accords the highest respect to all religions.”

Meanwhile, Saudi
Arabia has called Nupur Sharma’s comments “insulting” and called for “respect
for beliefs and religions.”

Responding to the
controversy, the Indian government said the remarks were made by “fringe
elements” and did not reflect the government’s opinion. The government also
highlighted that action had been taken against the two BJP leaders. The action
taken against them was welcomed by Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Sharma’s comments
were made during a TV debate in the backdrop of a communal conflagration in
Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur when two groups of different religions clashed leading
to 40 people getting injured. On Sunday, the BJP issued a statement saying it is
strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion and
“does not promote such people of philosophy.”

The Congress,
India’s principal Opposition party, slammed BJP’s comment saying it is “nothing
but a blatantly counterfeit pretense, which is evidently farce and another sham
attempt at damage control.” Meanwhile, Nupur Sharma has apologised for her
remarks and withdrawn them.