Nupur Sharma suspended by the BJP over remarks on Prophet Muhammad

• Nurpur Sharma was suspended from the party on Sunday for making provocative remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a recent TV debate.
• She received death threats on social media after the suspension.
• A Muslim organization called for the closure of stores in Parade Market in response.

Nupur Sharma, the BJP’s national spokesperson, was suspended from the party on Sunday for making provocative remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a recent TV debate. Naveen Kumar Jindal, the Delhi BJP’s media in-charge, has also been dismissed from the party’s primary membership.

The party’s central disciplinary committee noted in the suspension letter, “You have expressed opinions that are diametrically opposed to the party’s stand on a number of issues… With immediate effect, you are suspended from the party and your obligations pending further investigation.”

Both Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal stated they received death threats on social media after the suspension.

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On Friday, violence erupted in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after a Muslim organization called for the closure of stores in Parade Market in response to Nupur Sharma’s remarks. During the clashes, at least 40 individuals were hurt, including 20 police officers, according to the police.

WHAT WAS HER REMARK ABOUT?

Nupur Sharma is claimed to have suggested in a TV debate over the ongoing Gyanvapi row that certain items from Islamic religious books might be mocked by people. Muslims, she claims, are insulting Hinduism by referring to the ‘Shivling’ discovered inside the mosque complex as a fountain.

Nupur Sharma has been charged with injuring religious sensibilities in Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai.

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BJP’s STANCE

The BJP issued a statement on Sunday shortly before news of Nupur Sharma’s suspension broke, saying it respects all religions and firmly condemns insults to religious figures.

“The BJP is strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy,” the press release signed by BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said.

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