New Delhi:
The BJP said on Sunday it “firmly denounces insults against religious personalities” amid massive outcry and violence over spokesman Nupur Sharma’s remark about the prophet Mohammed. However, the party did not immediately report any incident or comment.
“During the thousands of years of India’s history, every religion has blossomed and blossomed. The Bharatiya Janata Party respects all religions. The BJP strongly disapproves of insulting religious personalities of any religion,” it said in a statement. .
“The Bharatiya Janata Party is also strongly against any ideology that insults or humiliates any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy,” it said.
“The Indian Constitution gives every citizen the right to practice any religion of his/her choice and to honor and respect any religion,” the party said.
“As India celebrates the 75th anniversary of its independence, we are committed to making India a great country where all are equal and all live with dignity, where all are committed to the unity and integrity of India, where all can enjoy the fruits of growth and development can reap.” it added.
Nupur Sharma’s remark during a TV debate last week, purportedly insulting to the Prophet, had sparked outrage and protests from Muslim groups.
At least 40 people, including 20 police personnel, were injured in the clashes after two groups clashed Friday in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh over a call to close the markets following the controversial remarks.
One group resisted the other group’s call to stop, leading to clashes involving rock-throwing. Police had to fire tear gas cans to disperse the crowd and prevent further violence. Police have arrested 36 people and filed charges against 1,500.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind were present 80 kilometers from the site when the clashes broke out.
Nupur Sharma has also been mentioned in multiple police cases in Maharashtra for her remark. She denies doing anything wrong and claims to have received death threats.
The BJP’s clarification came on a day when a wave of anger in Arab countries against the comment and a now-deleted tweet by another spokesperson for the Indian ruling party hit social media with trending hashtags and calls for a boycott of Indian products.