RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned and condemned a BJP leader’s controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammed.
Saudi Foreign Ministry tweeted, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its condemnation and condemnation of the statements made by the spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party, in which the Prophet Mohammed was insulted, peace and blessings be upon him.”
The ministry also stressed the “permanent rejection of prejudice” against any Islamic symbols and reiterated the state’s position on “respect for beliefs and religions”. It also rejected anything that breeds prejudice against “all religious figures and symbols”.
The ministry also welcomed the measures taken by the BJP to suspend the spokesperson and reaffirmed the “state’s position on respect for beliefs and religions”.
With this, Saudi Arabia has become the fourth country after Qatar, Iran and Kuwait to condemn the statement made by BJP’s national spokesperson Nupur Sharma against the Prophet.
On this issue, the three countries summoned the ambassadors of India on Sunday.
Trying to quell a diplomatic row, Indian embassy spokespersons in Qatar and Kuwait said on Sunday that the ambassadors “informed that the tweets do not reflect the views of the Indian government. These are views of fringe elements”. ..”
Sharma’s remarks in a TV debate about ten days back had sparked controversy. After this the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suspended him.
Following the suspension, Sharma took to Twitter and retracted his statement saying that “it was never his intention to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.”
The party also expelled its Delhi media chief Naveen Kumar Jindal after his controversial remarks against the Prophet.
Amid protests by Muslim groups over the remarks, the BJP also issued a statement aimed at allaying the concerns of minorities and distancing itself from these members. It stressed that it respects all religions and strongly condemns the insult of any religious personality.
