India found itself in the midst of a diplomatic maelstrom in the Gulf and Islamic world over offensive remarks attributed to a ruling BJP spokesperson regarding the Prophet, with some demanding a "public apology", some summoning the Indian ambassador, while a high-powered lunch for Indian Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was cancelled in Doha where he was visiting heading an official delegation. 

The 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), always quick to call out India over Kashmir, also issued a “strong condemnation” of what it called “abuses by an official of the ruling party of India (BJP)”, linking the comments to previous decisions to ban the hijab at educational institutions in certain Indian states, violence against minorities, and demolitions of their property.

Saudi Arabia, the most influential of the Gulf nations, put out an official statement condemning the "offensive statements insulting the Holy Prophet by the spokesperson of the Indian Bharatiya Party (sic)" while Dr Nayet Falah M Al Hajirah, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in a statement " condemned, rejected and denounced the statements made by the spokesman of the BJP against the Prophet".

Even Taliban-ruled Afghanistan condemned the use of "derogatory words" against the Prophet and urged the Indian government "not to allow such fanatics to insult the holy religion of Islam and provoke the feelings of Muslims". 

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, not to miss a chance to call out India, called the comments “hurtful”, and accused the Modi government of “trampling [on] religious freedoms and persecuting Muslims.”

While the Indian Embassy in Doha and Kuwait subsequently issued statements clarifying that the comments “did not reflect the views of the Government of India”, and called those posting offensive tweets, as “fringe elements”, the Qatari and Kuwaiti governments demanded a public apology from the government.

In a strong comment on Twitter, Qatar’s Assistant Foreign Minister and Spokesperson Lolwah Alkhater wrote that “Islamophobic discourse has reached dangerous levels in a country long known for its diversity and coexistence”, and told New Delhi that unless the government of India “officially and systemically” confronts hate speech, it would be considered a “deliberate insult” against two billion Muslims worldwide.

The Indian Embassy issued a statement, hours after Ambassador Deepak Mittal was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and handed the demarche.

“In line with our civilisational heritage and strong cultural traditions of unity in diversity, Government of India accords the highest respect to all religions,” read the statement, adding that “Strong action has already been taken against those who made the derogatory remarks.” “A statement has also been issued by concerned quarters emphasizing respect for all religions, denouncing insult to any religious personality or demeaning any religion or sect,” it said, referring to the statement issued by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. A similiar statement was issued by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait after Ambassador Sibi George was summoned.

Speaking to The Hindu, commentators indicated that the official protests by the Arab countries, which came more than a week after the original comments were made by a BJP spokesperson on the Times Now news channel, had followed growing outrage expressed on social media, along with calls for a boycott of Indian-made products. 

“We in Saudi Arabia know that majority of Hindus in India do no subscribe to such extreme opinions and I have many Hindu friends. Yet, we wonder why certain people are making provocative statements as that will not help us at all,” said Khaled Almayeena. former editor of Arab News and Saudi Gazette, was quoted as saying in The Hindu. 

The BJP has suspended Nupur Sharma from the party's primary membership and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal,a move the Congress dismissed as "farce" and a "sham attempt at damage control".

Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken deplored the rising attacks on people and places of worship in India, asserting that America will continue to stand up for religious freedom around the world while releasing its annual International Religious Freedom report that criticised New Delhi. 

(SAM)