Vibha Sharma
New Delhi, June 5
Breaking the whip, the BJP today suspended party spokesperson Nupur Sharma from the primary membership of the party with immediate effect, while distancing itself from her alleged provocative remarks against Prophet Mohammad in a televised debate on the Gyanvapi Masjid issue.
In a strongly worded statement, party general secretary Arun Singh said the BJP is “against any ideology that insults or insults any sect or religion and does not promote such people or philosophies.”
Although Singh did not name anyone or the reference, the party’s Central Disciplinary Committee issued a letter to Sharma saying that he had “expressed views contrary to the party’s position on various issues, which are governed by Rule 10(a) of the Constitution”. There is clear violence of the party.”
Member Secretary Om Pathak said, “I am directed to inform you that for further investigation, you have been suspended from the party, and your responsibilities/assignments if any, with immediate effect.”
The party also suspended Delhi media in-charge Naveen Kumar Jindal, who had allegedly posted a tweet about the Prophet but later deleted it.
The statement, one of the rare statements issued by the BJP to either backtrack or distance itself from any statement of a spokesperson or leader, comes in the wake of widespread protests by Muslims inside and outside the country. Aiming to send a clear message to party leaders, it questions the need to look for “Shivling in every mosque” by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Several cases have been registered against Sharma for hurting religious sentiments during a televised news debate on the Gyanvapi issue.
Violence erupted in Kanpur on Friday when a mob allegedly started pelting stones over Sharma’s remarks. Several people including policemen were injured during the clash.
Reports also suggest a reaction on social media in Muslim-majority countries to the statement, perhaps one of the reasons the BJP issued the statement in English. Some superstores in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain reportedly “removed Indian products” following “derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed” by Sharma, who was described as a “close aide of PM Modi”.
Sources claim that the issue was also mentioned in party president JP Nadda’s ‘Know BJP’ meeting with ambassadors/high commissioners including Turkey.
Arun Singh categorically said, “Every religion has flourished and flourished in India’s history of thousands of years. Bharatiya Janata Party respects all religions. BJP strongly condemns the insult of any religious person of any religion.
“The Constitution of India gives the right to every citizen to practice any religion of his choice and to respect and honor every religion.
“As India celebrates its 75th year of independence, we are committed to making India a great country where all are equal and everyone lives with dignity, where all are committed to the unity and integrity of India. where all enjoy the fruits of growth and development.” He added.
Seeking immediate action, complaints against Sharma in different parts of the country alleged that he “used derogatory, false and hurtful words against the Prophet and the religion of Islam and hurt the sentiments of Muslims”.
Sharma, however, claimed that he was receiving death and rape threats on social media after a “so-called fact-checker” circulated a “heavily edited video” from the debate. “Ever since I have been receiving death and rape threats, including beheading threats against me and family members,” she was quoted as saying.
Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal urged the media not to make their address public after the suspension letter along with their home addresses went viral on social media, citing security threat to their families.
Meanwhile, Nupur Sharma has given a clarification on Twitter, taking back her statement unconditionally. She said that “it was never my intention to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.”
– Nupur Sharma (upNupurSharmaBJP) 5 June 2022