The centre ruling BJP government has caught into trouble over the brewing diplomatic crisis that was sparked by controversial remarks by the BJP functionaries against Prophet Muhammad. From the UAE to Qatar and Oman, the Gulf countries including India's close neighbours have strongly condemned the comments of the BJP functionaries.
The flare of what has become a wildfire was torched by BJP's spokesperson Nupur Sharma. Recently, Sharma has participated in a TV debate during which she had an outrageous remark against Prophet Muhammad while speaking about the Gyanvapi Mosque issue. Speaking in a debate, Nupur has allegedly spoken about Muhammad in a fashion that the entire Arab world had united against India.
Her remarks were gone viral on social media and several Gulf countries have sharply reacted against India in a way that India's Ministry of External Affairs had a busy time for the past few days responding to the Gulf countries. The BJP has later suspended Nupur Sharma from the party, but for Narendra Modi, it was the greatest blow in his foreign diplomacy and the ties have taken a shocking turn.
Besides Nupur Sharma, the BJP has expelled Naveen Kumar Jindal from the party over his controversial remarks against Prophet Muhammad. While the BJP's fresh round of what has been labelled as polarization has triggered a diplomatic backlash from the Arab world, the anti-Prophet comments had also sparked nationwide outrage across the country with several opposition leaders have been demanding strict action against the functionaries.
As part of the league of opposition, Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha MP and Chief of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Thol Thirumavalavan has staunchly demanded the government arrest the functionaries. He cited that through their remarks, India is hanging in shame and that the employment status of Indians working in Arab countries is now at stake. The parliamentarian has urged the government to arrest them and book them under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Thirumavalavan said, "The BJP National level functionaries disgraceful remarks on prophet Muhammad in TV debates and social media have attracted strong opposition from Islamic nations including Arab countries. India is hanging in shame before the world. The employment status of millions of Indians working in Arab countries is now at stake. The Indian government must arrest the concerned persons under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)."
He further said, "BJP National Spokesperson Nupur Sharma in a debate in Times Now had verbally abused Prophet Muhammad. Another BJP functionary made an abusive post on Prophet Muhammad. This has created an uproar in the Arab countries. The slogans demanding to boycott the Indian products are spreading all over the social media in several countries including Saudi Arabia. Indian products are removed from the shops there. The Qatari government has cancelled the scheduled dinner offered to the Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu."
"Kuwait, Qatar, and Iran have summoned the respective Indian Ambassadors and have condemned them. Pakistan's Prime Minister and former Prime Minister also condemned the remarks. This has resulted in losses worth millions of rupees, brought disrepute, projecting India as an intolerant nation and shame to the Indian government", Thirumavalavan added. He highlighted that lakhs of Indian labourers are employed in the Arab countries, particularly the maximum number of people are from the BJP ruled states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He said, "Now their employment is at stake. The hatred speech of BJP functionaries is the reason for these developments."
Thirumavalavan stated, "As a result of the opposition from Arab countries, BJP has removed the two functionaries (Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal) from the primary membership of the party. But, Nupur Sharma claims in her TV interview that she is being backed by the Union Home Minister and the BJP President. This has brought to light that removing them from the party is to cunningly deceive the Arab countries."
He noted that this in no way would balance the losses or redeem India's reputation. He said, "We demand that the two BJP functionaries who are liable for India's critical position in the world arena and creating religious tension to instigate large scale violent riots must be booked under UAPA and must be arrested." "We demand the Indian government to take stern legal action on the Sanatan extremists who are continuously spreading hatred against the minorities inclusive of Muslims, Christians, and against SC, ST, and OBC people," he added.
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