BJP suspends two spokespersons over objectionable comments

Qatar, Kuwait, Iran summon Indian envoys

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Sunday suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal after their alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad, as it sought to defuse a raging row over the issue.

Amid protests by Muslim groups over the remarks which also caused a stir abroad, especially in Arab countries, the BJP issued a statement aimed at assuaging the concerns of minorities and distancing itself from these members, asserting that it respects all religions and strongly denounces insult of any religious personality.

Sharma's comments, made in a TV debate nearly 10 days back, and Jindal's now-deleted tweets, sparked a Twitter trend calling for a boycott of Indian products in some countries, while Qatar, Iran and Kuwait summoned the Indian ambassadors and handed over to them protest notes on what the Gulf countries called categorical "rejection and condemnation" of the controversial remarks.

The foreign ministries of the two Gulf countries welcomed the statement issued by the ruling party in India in which it announced the suspension of the leader.

Incidentally, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu is currently on an official visit to Qatar. The Indian Ambassador in Qatar said in a tweet that the controversial tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India. "These are the views of fringe elements," the Indian Embassy quoting him said.

With its members' comments stoking protests in the country, including violence in Kanpur, and drawing strong reactions from abroad, the BJP swung into action to control the damage.

Before cracking the whip on the two members, the ruling party also issued a statement underscoring its respect for all religions and their revered figures.