INDIA. MUMBAI: BJP Spokesperson Nupur Sharma who had racked up controversy due to her allegedly derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad in a recent TV debate, was suspended from the party by the BJP’s Central Disciplinary Committee on Sunday.
Sharma has been suspended for expressing views contrary to the party’s position on various issues, in violation of Rule 10 (a) of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Constitution, according to Om Pathak, Member Secretary, Central Disciplinary Committee.
Pathak stated in a letter dated June 5 to Sharma, “You have expressed views contrary to the party’s position on several issues, which is clearly in violation of Rule 10 (a) of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Constitution.” I have been directed to inform you that you are suspended from the party and your responsibilities/assignments, if any, with immediate effect, pending further investigation.”
Besides Sharma, the BJP also removed Delhi BJP media in-charge, Naveenkumar Jindal, from the party’s primary membership due to his tweet about the Prophet, which he later deleted amid rising outrage.
Delhi unit president Adesh Gupta expelled Jindal. Gupta, in his letter, said Jindal’s opinion was contradictory to the party’s original ideology. “You have worked against the party’s ideology and policies,” said the letter. Jindal’s primary membership of the BJP has been terminated immediately, and he has been expelled from the party, Gupta said.
Jindal was chastised on social media for his June 1 tweet about the Prophet Mohammad. He stated that he had tweeted a question to those attacking and insulting Hindu deities and that it was not intended to offend any religious sentiments.
Whereas Arun Singh, National General Secretary and Headquarter-in-Charge, in a statement issued on Sunday, said, “During thousands of years of India, every religion has blossomed and flourished. The BJP respects all religions. The BJP strongly denounces insults of religious personalities of any religion”.
The BJP is also firmly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such a person or philosophy. The Indian constitution guarantees every citizen the right to practice any religion of their choice and honor and respect all religions. As India marks the 75th anniversary of its independence, we are committed to making India a great country where everyone is equal, and everyone lives with dignity, where everyone is committed to India’s unity and integrity, and where everyone enjoys the fruits of growth and development.
Soon after Sharma’s controversial remarks, Muslim groups have been holding protests demanding action against Sharma. The first case was filed at the Pydhonie police station in South Mumbai by Raza Academy. Subsequently, the cases were filed against her in Hyderabad, Pune, and other places, accusing her of hurting religious sentiments.
The remarks triggered large-scale violence in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, injuring around 40 people on Friday. The violence led to arson during the visit of President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to Kanpur rural for an official function in the native village of the President.
In another development, Qatar and Kuwait summoned India’s envoys. They gave them protest notes over the controversial remarks even as the envoys stated that the comments were the “views of fringe elements.” Besides, reports said some Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, called out for a boycott of Indian products from their superstores on social media.
Nupur Sharma withdraws her remarks
After her suspension from the party, Sharma unconditionally withdrew the controversial statement made in a TV debate. Sharma said it was never her intention to hurt anyone’s religious feelings in a tweet. She claimed that her comments were in response to “constant insult and disrespect towards our Mahadev” (Lord Shiva), which she could not stand.
“I have been attending TV debates for the past many days where our Mahadev was constantly insulted and disrespected,” she said in a statement posted on Twitter. “It was mockingly stated that it is a fountain rather than Shivling. The Shivling was also mocked by being compared to roadside signs and poles in Delhi.”
She referred to the recent discovery of a Shivling by Hindu groups at the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. She continued, “If my words have caused anyone discomfort or have hurt their religious feelings in any way, I hereby unconditionally withdraw my statement. It was never my intention to offend anyone’s religious sensibilities.”
However, some BJP workers described the action against Sharma and Jindal as harsh. IN A FB POST, Mumbai-based BJP activist Dayanand Nene said, “This is called leaving karyakartas (party workers) in the lurch. I mean this is like abandoning her and making her more vulnerable to attacks from Islamist zealots. A most unfortunate and extremely harsh decision. Social media activists will have to be very careful henceforth”.
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