The BJP on Sunday suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal for their alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad, as it sought to defuse the row over the issue.
The party expelled Naveen Kumar Jindal, who heads its Delhi media, from the party, saying his views on social media vitiate communal harmony and are in violation of its fundamental beliefs.
“Your primary membership is immediately terminated and you are expelled from the party,” a communique from its Delhi president Adesh Gupta said. A communication to Sharma from the party’s disciplinary committee said she has expressed views contrary to the party’s position on various matters, which is in clear violation of its constitution.
“Pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities, assignments if any, with immediate effect,” it said.
Amid protests by Muslim groups over the remarks, the party also issued a statement aimed at assuaging the concerns of minorities and distancing itself from these members, asserting that it respects all religions and strongly denounces the insult of any religious personality.
After the remarks by Sharma kicked up a row, party general secretary Arun Singh had said earlier in the day that the party is strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. Issuing a strongly worded statement, he said the BJP is “strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion and does not promote such people or philosophy.”
Though Singh did not name anyone or the context, the party’s central disciplinary committee issued a letter to Sharma saying that she had “expressed views contrary to the party’s position on various issues, which is in clear violence of Rule 10 (a) of the constitution of the party.”
“As India celebrates 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,” he added.
Cases were registered against Sharma in different parts of the country over her remarks, alleging that her comments offended the Muslim community.
On Friday, violence broke out in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh after a Muslim organisation gave a call to shut shops in Parade Market over the remarks made by Nupur Sharma, in which over 40 were injured, including 28 policemen.
