Prophet row: Remarks by Islamic nations group 'narrow,' 'unwarranted,' says Centre

India has dubbed certain comments made by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the Prophet Muhammad row as “narrow-minded” and “unwarranted,” while reiterating its stand that the remarks by two BJP spokespersons do not reflect the views of the government.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India categorically rejects the OIC secretariat’s comments, asserting that New Delhi accords the highest respect to all religions.

“The offensive tweets and comments denigrating a religious personality were made by certain individuals. They do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India,” Bagchi said.

He said stringent action has already been taken against these individuals by relevant bodies. The BJP has already suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled Naveen Jindal, its Delhi unit’s media head Naveen Jindal for their controversial remarks following widespread anger in several Gulf countries over their comments.

Also read: Saudi Arabia latest of Arab nations to condemn remarks against Prophet

Amid protests by Muslim groups over the remarks, the party had 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.

“It is regrettable that OIC secretariat has yet again chosen to make motivated, misleading and mischievous comments. This only exposes its divisive agenda being pursued at the behest of vested interests,” Bagchi said.

The MEA spokesperson was responding to media queries on the comments by the OIC. “We would urge the OIC secretariat to stop pursuing its communal approach and show due respect to all faiths and religions,” he said. The OIC had slammed India for the comments against the Prophet even urged the UN to take necessary measures to ensure that the rights of Muslims are protected.

Remarks made by ‘fringe elements’: Indian envoys

With at least four Gulf nations registering their protest over the remarks made against Prophet Muhammad by the BJP leaders, the Indian envoys in Qatar, Kuwait and Iran have dismissed them as “fringe elements.”

India’s ambassador in Qatar, Deepak Mittal, who was summoned by the country’s foreign ministry to explain the remarks and ensure a public apology, has said that the remarks made by “fringe elements” do not reflect the views of the government.

A similar statement was given by the Indian ambassador in Kuwait after a meeting with the foreign office.

“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…strong action has already been taken against those who made the derogatory remarks,” the embassy said in a statement.

The Indian ambassador in Tehran, has told the Iranian government that the speakers who made the remarks held no official position and were also dismissed from the party after making the comments.