Saudi Arabia condemns controversial remarks of BJP leader against Prophet
Saudi Arabia, Jun 6: Saudi Arabia on Monday joined Qatar, Iran and Kuwait to express its condemnation of the controversial remarks of a BJP leader against Prophet Mohammed and called for "respect for beliefs and religions."
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condemnation and denunciation of the statements made by the BJP spokesperson, saying it insulted Prophet Mohammed.
The ministry reiterated its "permanent rejection of prejudice against the symbols of the Islamic religion."
It also rejected anything that give rise to prejudice against "all religious figures and symbols."
While welcoming the measures taken by the BJP to suspend the spokeswoman, the ministry reaffirmed the "Kingdom's position calling for respect for beliefs and religions".
Qatar, Iran and Kuwait on Sunday summoned India's Ambassadors and the key Gulf nations expressed their strong protest and condemnation of the controversial remarks of a BJP leader against Prophet Mohammed.
Seeking to defuse a diplomatic row, spokespersons of the Indian Embassy in Qatar and Kuwait said on Sunday that the Ambassadors "conveyed that the tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India. These are the views of fringe elements."
In New Delhi, the BJP on Sunday suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal after their controversial remarks against the Prophet.
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.
The controversial remarks also sparked a Twitter trend in the Arab world calling for a boycott of Indian products.
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Why did BJP ask its leaders to say Constitution will be changed?: Akhilesh Yadav
Agra (UP) (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday targeted the BJP, saying why did it "ask its leaders" to repeatedly say that the "Constitution would be changed".
Addressing an election rally in Jalesar of Agra Lok Sabha constituency, Yadav said that the "lying" BJP government will have to answer the "real questions" of the people in the ongoing elections.
"The public's real question for the BJP is why did it ask its leaders to repeatedly say that the Constitution given by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar will be changed? Does the BJP have an answer to this?" the SP chief said.
"Why did the BJP raise the issue of changing the Constitution -- that protects the exploited, deprived and oppressed -- to end reservations. These are the real questions of the public, to which the BJP has no answer," he said.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Yadav said, "Those who used to talk about 'Mann Ki Baat' should now talk about the Constitution. Now, they can not do everything according to their whims. Now, the lying BJP government will have to face the true questions of the people."
Yadav further targeted the government over lack of government jobs, papers leak and the Agnipath scheme.
"If BJP does not have an answer, it should not be given votes," he said.
Terming the electoral bonds as a ploy to extort industrialists, Yadav said it led to inflation.
After the Lok Sabha elections, when the INDIA bloc government is formed, the Agniveer scheme will be abolished, farmers will get guaranteed minimum support price and the poor will get more nutritious free ration, he said.
The poor and women will also be given Rs 1 lakh, he added.
Agra will go to polls on May 7 in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
