'Unconditionally withdraw my statement': BJP's Nupur Sharma after suspension
The BJP on Sunday (June 5) suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma from the party, pending further investigation. The party also expelled Naveen Kumar Jindal for his controversial statements on social media.
“You have expressed views contrary to the Party’s position on various matters, which is in clear violation of Rule 10 (a) of constitution of the Bharatiya Janata Party. I have been directed to convey to you that pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities/assignments if any, with immediate effect,” the BJP’s notice to Sharma said.
Sharma has reportedly faced action from the party for her comment on Prophet Muhammad on a TV channel.
After the suspension, Sharma took to her Twitter account requesting the media to not make her comment public as her family was receiving threats.
“I request all media houses and everybody else not to make my address public. There is a security threat to my family,” she tweeted.
In another tweet, she said she “unconditionally” withdraws her statement. “If my words have caused discomfort or hurt religious feelings of anyone whatsoever, I hereby unconditionally withdraw my statement. It was never my intention to hurt anyone’s religious feelings,” she said.
I request all media houses and everybody else not to make my address public. There is a security threat to my family.
— Nupur Sharma (@NupurSharmaBJP) June 5, 2022
— Nupur Sharma (@NupurSharmaBJP) June 5, 2022
Jindal too made a similar request and said he was receiving death threats on social media. “I have a special request to all, please do not make my address public, threats to kill me and my family are being given continuously on social media,” he tweeted in Hindi.
मेरा सभी से विशेष आग्रह हैं कृप्या मेरा पता सार्वजनिक न करे मुझे और मेरे परिवार को लगातार जान से मारने की धमकियां सोशल मीडिया पर भी दी जा रही हैं। @DelhiPolice @CPDelhi @LtGovDelhi कृप्या संज्ञान ले।
— Naveen Kumar Jindal 🇮🇳 (@naveenjindalbjp) June 5, 2022
Earlier in the day, after violence broke out in Kanpur over Sharma’s comment on Prophet Muhammad, the party said it “strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities”. The party, however, made no mention of the comment.
“During the thousands of years of the history of India, every religion has blossomed and flourished. The Bharatiya Janata Party respects all religions. The BJP strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities of any religion,” it said in a statement.
BJP speaks of equality
“The Bharatiya Janata Party is also strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy,” it said.
Also read: Kanpur riots: 24 arrested; 800 booked, illegal properties of accused to be demolished
“India’s Constitution gives the right to every citizen to practise any religion of his/her choice and to honour and respect every religion,” the party said.
“As India celebrates 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,” it added.
Comment sparks violence
Sharma’s comment during a TV debate last week, purportedly insulting the Prophet, had triggered a huge outcry and protests from Muslim groups.
At least 40 people, including 20 police personnel, were injured during the clashes between two groups on Friday in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur over a call to shut down markets following the controversial remarks. The police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and prevent further violence. The police have arrested 36 people and filed cases against 1,500.
Sharma has also been named in multiple police cases in Maharashtra over her comment. She has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that she has been receiving death threats.
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