New Delhi: India on Monday hit back at Pakistan after its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif waded into the row over alleged blasphemous comments on Prophet Muhammad by BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and said that ‘India was trampling religious freedom under BJP regime’.
Tearing into Pakistan’s history of atrocities on minorities including Hindus, Sikhs & Christians, India said that the world is witness to the systemic persecution of minorities there.
“The absurdity of a serial violator of minority rights, commenting on treatment of minorities in another nation is not lost on anyone. The world has been witness to the systemic persecution of minorities including Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Ahmadiyyas by Pakistan,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a statement.
Our response to media queries regarding tweet by the Pakistani Prime Minister and statement by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs:https://t.co/bTcrX0WH4X pic.twitter.com/IfR4YdFnsO
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) June 6, 2022
He further said, “India accords highest respect to all religions. This is quite unlike Pakistan where fanatics are eulogised and monuments built in their honour.”
As the backlash intensified from the Muslim world including the Arab nations, the BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma has been suspended from the party. She also regretted her remarks and said that she had no intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments.
What Sharif said & summoning of India’s charg d’affaires
Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif called out the world to come forward and severely reprimand India.
Sharif had tweeted, “Have said it repeatedly India under Modi is trampling religious freedoms & persecuting Muslims. World should take note & severely reprimand India.”
Earlier, Pakistan said that it summoned Indian charg d’affaires to convey its strong objection to controversial remarks by two BJP leaders against Prophet Muhammad.
Qatar, other Muslims nations condemn remarks
The backlash has been growing after remarks by BJP spokesperson in a televised debate sparked furore. Several Arab nations have also come out to lodge protest against India and are also demanding apology.
A total of 5 Arab nations have lodged official protest against India. Calls for boycott of Indian goods also surfaced on the social media in Gulf countries.
On Sunday, Qatar ministry of foreign affairs summoned Indian ambassador Deepak Mittal and demanded total rejection & condemnation of remarks against Prophet. In response, the Indian envoy that these views are of fringe elements and don’t represent the views of Indian government.