Amid international fury over two BJP leader’s comments on Prophet Muhammad, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the ruling party’s “shameful bigotry” has not only isolated India, but has also damaged its global standing.
“Divided internally, India becomes weak externally. BJP’s shameful bigotry has not only isolated us, but also damaged India’s standing globally,” Gandhi wrote on Twitter.
Gandhi on Sunday said that hate only breeds hatred and that the path of love and brotherhood can take India towards progress.
The Congress leader’s tweet comes at a time India is facing global outrage over the controversial remarks made by BJP functionaries – Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal.
On Sunday, the BJP suspended Sharma from the party over her alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. The party also expelled Jindal, who heads its Delhi media, over his tweet referring to Prophet Muhammad.
BJP’s disciplinary committee, in a communication to Sharma, 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.
A communication to Jindal said that 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,” the communication from its Delhi president Adesh Gupta said.
Amid furore over the BJP leaders’ comments, the party in a statement on Sunday said it is “strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion” and “does not promote such people or philosophy”.
The controversial remarks have also drawn widespread condemnation of nations including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE and Iran who have demanded an apology from the government for allowing the derogatory remarks.
The foreign ministry said in a statement the offensive tweets and comments did not, in any way, reflect the views of the government.
