Indian envoy in Doha summoned over controversial remarks by BJP leader on Prophet Mohammed
Doha/New Delhi, June 5 (FN Agency) Even as Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu is visiting Qatar, controversial remarks and tweets on Prophet Mohammed by BJP functionaries led to the Qatari Foreign Ministry summoning the Indian envoy Deepak Mittal to protest the remarks. The Indian ambassador conveyed that the tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India, and these are the views of fringe elements. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Deepak Mittal and handed him an official note, “expressing the disappointment of the State of Qatar and its total rejection and condemnation to the controversial remarks made by an official in the ruling party in India against Prophet Mohammed, Islam and Muslims.” Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the State, handed this note to the Ambassador of the Republic of India.
“The State of Qatar welcomed the statement issued by the ruling party in India in which it announced the suspension of the party’s official from practicing his activities in the party due to his remarks that angered all Muslims around the world.” It also said that Qatar “is expecting a public apology and immediate condemnation of these remarks from the Government of India, pointing out that allowing such Islamophobic remarks to continue without punishment, constitutes a grave danger to the protection of human rights and may lead to further prejudice and marginalization, which will create a cycle of violence and hate.” “The State of Qatar affirmed that these insulting remakes would lead to incitement of religious hatred, and offend more than two billion Muslims around the world, and indicate the clear ignorance of the pivotal role that Islam has played in the development of civilizations around the world, including in India.” “The State of Qatar reaffirmed its full support for the values of tolerance, coexistence and respect for all religions and nationalities, where such as these values distinguish Qatar’s global friendships and its relentless work to contribute to the establishment of international peace and security,” the Qatari MOFA said. In response to a media query regarding the statement issued by the Qatar MOfA on an offensive tweet in India, the Spokesperson of the Embassy of India in Qatar said: “Ambassador had a meeting in the Foreign Office in which concerns were raised with regard to some offensive tweets by individuals in India denigrating the religious personality.
“Ambassador conveyed that the tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India. These are the views of fringe elements. “In line with our civilisational heritage and strong cultural traditions of unity in diversity, Government of India accords the highest respect to all religions. “Strong action has already been taken against those who made the derogatory remarks. “A statement has also been issued by concerned quarters emphasizing respect for all religions, denouncing insult to any religious personality or demeaning any religion or sect. “Vested interests that are against India – Qatar relations have been inciting the people using these derogatory comments. “We should work together against such mischievous elements who aim to undercut the strength of our bilateral ties,” the Indian response said. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP media cell head Naveen Kumar Jindal’s tweet against Prophet Mohammed caused wide discontent in the Arab world with hashtags calling for boycott of India products trending on Twitter. Twitters users across Gulf reacted with anger causing Jindal to delete the tweet and state that his remarks were not aimed at hurting the religious sentiments of any community. Jindal tweeted in Hindi that his intent was not to demean any faith, “We respect the faith of all religions but the question was only for those mindsets that spread hatred by using indecent comments about our deities. I just asked them a question.
It does not mean that we are against any religion.” One of the top trending hashtags on Twitter in Middle Eastern countries such as Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt referred to the matter. The hashtag was widely shared along with calls for boycotting India and Indian products, a Qatari news report said. On Twitter many people denounced the escalation of hatred against Islam and Muslims in India, saying that it is following in the footsteps of France and China in promoting Islamophobia and hostility. Delhi BJP unit president Adesh Gupta expelled Jindal for allegedly expressing views on social media that vitiate communal harmony. Gupta added that Jindal’s primary membership from the party was terminated with immediate effect. The BJP also suspended spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her controversial remarks made during a TV debate.