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Several Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia have condemned remarks on Prophet Muhammad made by two BJP leaders that were described as “Islamophobic”. BJP facing the heat after the controversial remarks and suspended party spokesperson Nupur Sharma while expelling Naveen Kumar Jindal .
The controversy erupted amid Vice President Venkaiah Naidu tour of Qatar to bolster trade.
The comments were made by BJP national spokesperson Nupur Sharma during a TV debate last week against the backdrop of a series of communal incidents across the country. BJP media chief Naveen Jindal posted a tweet about the Prophet, which he later deleted.
Saudi Arabia described BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s comments as “insulting” and called for “respect for beliefs and religions”, according to a foreign ministry statement.
Riyadh is the latest to condemn the remarks.
Qatar, Kuwait and Iran summoned the Indian envoy on Sunday amid widespread calls on social media for a boycott of Indian goods in the Gulf.
Kuwait, like Qatar, summoned India’s ambassador, and demanded a “public apology for these hostile statements, the continuation of which would constitute a deterrent measure or punishment to increase extremism and hatred and undermine the elements of moderation”.
