US condemns BJP leaders’ derogatory remarks about Holy Prophet (PBUH)
US State Department spokesperson, Ned Price has condemned derogatory remarks made by spokespersons of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) about the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
On June 5, BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and another party leader Naveen Kumar Jindal made derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and after strong condemnation and protests around the world, the BJP had to take disciplinary action against the two leaders and disassociate themselves from these statements.
The party had suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled Naveen Kumar Jindal.
The insulting move caused an uproar in India as well as around the world as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party faced condemnation in Muslim countries and other nations while Muslims took to the streets in protest along with India and across Asia. However, now the protesters in India are facing severe crackdown by the government.
Police in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh arrested at least 300 people on July 13 on charges of inciting unrest, and several houses have been demolished for alleged involvement in protests that began earlier this month.
The report said that there were clashes between Muslims and Hindus and in some places there were clashes between police and protesters.
During a press briefing by Ned Price on Thursday, a journalist raised the issue of derogatory remarks by BJP members and the consequent demolition of Muslim houses.
The journalist asked the State Department spokesperson if he would like to say something about the hate crimes committed by the Indian government against Muslims and other minorities.
In response, Price said, “This is something we have condemned. We condemn the derogatory remarks made by two BJP officials and we are glad to see that the party has publicly condemned these comments.
“The United States engages in regular high-level discussions with the Indian government on human rights concerns, including religious freedom and respect for beliefs, and we urge India to promote respect for human rights,” he said.
The Secretary added that the Indian and American peoples share the same values: human dignity, equal opportunities, and freedom of religion or belief, these are the core values of any democracy and we speak for them all over the world.
