New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday issued a statement where the party has asserted that it respects all religions and strongly denounces insult of any religious personality.
Although, the statement did not refer or cite any incident in particular, but this is taken as an attempt to defuse a controversy over comments allegedly made by party spokesperson Nupur Sharma against Prophet Mohammed, which has resulted to violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur.
BJP general secretary Arun Singh, in the statement, said that the party is strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any section or religion. He further said that the party does not promote such people or philosophy.
Nupur Sharma’s remarks have drawn protests from Muslim groups.
In the statement issued, Singh said that India’s every religion has blossomed and flourished since thousands of years. The BJP respects all religions. Also, the party strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities of any religion.
The party said that the Constitution of India gives the right to every citizen to practise any religion of his/her choice and to honour and respect every religion.
The statement further said that, “As India is celebrating the 75th year of its Independence, we are committed to making India a great country where all are equal and everyone lives with dignity, where all are committed to India’s unity and integrity, where all enjoy the fruits of growth and development.”
Correction | “The Bharatiya Janata Party respects all religions. The BJP strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities of any religion,” says BJP in its statement.
(The earlier part about Nupur Sharma omitted as BJP statement does not mention her alleged statement) pic.twitter.com/HutgpsBXkG
— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2022
Nupur Sharma had made a controversial statement during a TV debate last week, where she purportedly insulted the Prophet. Her statement had further triggered a huge outcry and protests from Muslim groups.
Also, when the clash broke out, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind were at a function 80 kilometres away from the programme venue.