Indian government takes decisive actions against those who insulted our Holy Prophet, says foreign ministry spokesman

By Imran Nasir

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday rejected the Indian government and ruling party token disciplinary actions against Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal insulted to Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and said its not “enough”.

During his weekly briefing, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Asim Iftikhar said that Islamabad has underscored that BJP’s perfunctory and token disciplinary action against those individuals was not sufficient to assuage the pain and anguish they have caused to Muslims worldwide. Nor would any attempt to whitewash rising ‘Hindutva’ nationalism in mainstream society by calling the BJP Spokesperson a ‘fringe element’ be of any avail.

“If India has any moral courage, or democratic ethos, the BJP top leadership and the Indian government must clearly condemn the actions of the responsible BJP officials, and hold them to account through decisive and demonstrable action. That may be a big ask in today’s “saffronized” India, but this is the least that is being expected of them,” said the spokesman. 

He reiterated Pakistan’s rejection and strongest condemnation of the highly derogatory remarks by two senior officials of India’s ruling BJP party, that were disrespectful towards Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and have hurt the sentiments of Muslims all over the world.

“The Indian Charge d’ Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 6 June and conveyed the Government of Pakistan’s categorical rejection and strong condemnation of the totally unacceptable remarks,” he added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condemned the dangerous and hurtful comments emanating from these irresponsible leaders of India's ruling party.

Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood individually met the Envoys of P-5 countries; and also held a meeting with the OIC Ambassadors in Islamabad to apprise them of the matter and register Pakistan’s strong concern at the sharp increase in Islamophobia and targeting of Muslims in India.

“This is important because it is not about an isolated incident. There are continuing serious concerns about the alarming rise in Islamophobia, and communal violence and hatred directed against Muslims and other minorities in India, who are being systematically stigmatized, marginalized and subjected to a well-orchestrated onslaught from radical Hindu mobs with full connivance and support of the security apparatus across various states in India.

 “Regrettably, the Indian state machinery has remained aloof to the desperate calls for assistance by the local Muslim and minority communities across the country including Sikhs, Christians and Dalits,” Asim Iftikhar added.

On Friday, huge protest rallies were held across the Muslim world and protesters demanded their governments to cut trade and diplomatic ties with India.

Last month, BJP Spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal insulted to Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that drawing furious reaction and protest from several Muslim countries including Pakistan, Turkiye, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, Iran, Jordan, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Maldives, Libya and Indonesia.

Despite Muslim world protest, the Indian Modi government so far didn’t condemn its party leaders nor publically apologized to Muslims. 

Muslims across the world have already announced to boycott Indian products and hundreds of shops in the Arab world removed the Indian products from shopping malls. 

On Tuesday, another BJP Youth leader Srivastava insulted to Holy Prophet during the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister H.Amirabdollahian to New Delhi.

H.Amirabdollahian on Wednesday met PM Modi and his Foreign Minister.

Later Police said they arrested the Srivastava.

However, earlier in a video statement, Sharma said that the Home Minister Amit Shah has called her and assured their full support of the government after the Muslim world's reaction.