Former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma has been trending across the media after her controversial remarks against Prophet Muhammad. On May 26, Nupur participated in a TV debate on Times Now on the issue of Gyanvapi Mosque, where she made remarks on Prophet Muhammad’s wife Aisha’s age during their marriage and its consummation.
After Nupur Sharma’s remarks, her video byte was shared by the Alt News. Though Nupur Sharma termed it as a “heavily edited video”, but the Alt News denied her allegations and shared the complete video clip.
The controversy heated up with a series of FIRs against Nupur Sharma from across the country. Her remarks were widely shared internationally all across the social media platforms, and by June 4, the hashtag – “Insult to Prophet Muhammad” went trending amongst the top ten hashtags in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Countries) as well as Turkey.
The govts of UAE, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Quatar, Pakistan and a few more countries condemned Nupur Sharma’s remarks. The grand Mufti of Oman termed Nupur’s remarks as a “war” against every Muslim, and appealed to boycott all the Indian products and investments in Oman.
On the other hand, the Quatar govt issued a notice to Indian Ambassador to Quatar, on which The Indian govt replied that they were the views of “fringe elements” in India which do not reflect the views of the govt of India in any way. After the controversy heated up internationally, Nupur Sharma as well as Navin Jindal were suspended from the Bharatiya Janata Party on June 5.
As alleged, Nupur Sharma’s remarks were the main reason due to which the violence erupted between two groups in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, leaving more than 40 injured. While the opposition parties slammed Nupur Sharma, she claimed of getting rape and murder threats.
• Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders’s supporting Nupur Sharma:
The Dutch far-right politician Greet Wilders, who is known for his anti-Islam and anti-immigration remarks, supported former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. In a tweet, Wilders said:
“Only criminals and terrorists use street violence to express their religious intolerance and hate. Stop being tolerant to the intolerant. We cherish life, they cherish death. We support freedom and the heroic #NupurSharma is a symbol of our strength. Support her!”
On the other hand, in Delhi, as tweeted by the news agency ANI,
“People in large numbers protest at Delhi’s Jama Masjid over inflammatory remarks by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma & expelled leader Naveen Jindal, earlier today
No call for protest given by Masjid, says Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid.”
• BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya’s statement on Nupur Sharma’s remarks:
Amidst the current critical situation and violence being erupted across the country, BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya has supported former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. Bhopal MP Sadhvi Pragya has said, “Nupur Sharma said nothing wrong. If telling truth makes you a rebel then I am also a rebel. India belong to Hindus and its our responsibility to keep Sanatan alive.”
• Violence in several states of India:
On June 10, violence erupted in various parts of India, against Nupur Sharma’s remarks on Prophet Muhammad. As reported by news agency ANI, the protestors in West Bengal turned violent and a skirmish broke out between the police personnel and the protestors. As per the media reports, more than 70 people have been arrested and CrPC section 144 has been imposed in various parts of Howrah district till June 15.
