BJP dented India’s image, Opposition demands arrest of Sharma, Jindal

Stepping up pressure for legal action against Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal, opposition parties have demanded their arrest for remarks on Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and accused the BJP of denting the image of the country.

While the ruling BJP party continues to diplomatic fallout as more and more Muslim countries including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Indonesia, Jordan, UAE and Afghanistan have condemned the derogatory remarks.

The opposition parties like the Congress, AAP, BSP, SP and the Left dismissed the suspension of its spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expulsion of Naveen Kumar Jindal, its Delhi media head, as mere “drama” and “sham” and demanded strict legal action against the duo.

The Congress hit out at the BJP, demanding the immediate arrest of those who have defamed India at the international level instead of enacting a drama of action.

Asking why those responsible for putting out offensive comments had not been arrested yet, the Congress said it was unacceptable for the nation to apologise for such mistakes.

“Divided internally, India becomes weak externally. BJP’s shameful bigotry has not only isolated us but also damaged India’s standing globally,” Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged the BJP leadership is pushing the country into the dark age of communal polarisation to serve its narrow political interests and asked.

The AIMIM also demanded the immediate arrest of the BJP functionaries. The Aam Aadmi Party alleged that Modi’s patronage of “hate politics” has brought disgrace to the country.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged the BJP has led the country to such a situation that even “small countries are now challenging the great nation of India”. He claimed that every Indian is pained by it and “the sorrow is endless”.

The opposition parties targeted the prime minister after the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) slammed India for comments by the two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionaries. Besides Pakistan, Qatar, Iran and Kuwait had summoned Indian ambassadors and handed over protest notes on Sunday.

CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury questioned how BJP leaders speaking on behalf of the party can be called “fringe elements.”

The opposition parties also said the country will not apologise for the mistakes of the BJP.

“Instead of doing a drama of action against anti-social elements in the party who have defamed India at the international level, it should immediately arrest them,” the Congress said.

Party leader P Chidambaram said it was not domestic criticism but an international backlash that had pushed the BJP to take an action against its functionaries.

The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board said the BJP’s action against the two functionaries was a “good thing” but not enough and demanded stringent legal action against them.

The Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) said it will hold protests across the country on June 10 if no legal action was initiated against Sharma.