Saudi described BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma's comments as "insulting"
Ahead of remarks about the Prophet Mohammad by the two BJP leaders, Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia have condemned BJP leaders that were described as "Islamophobic". The controversy erupted amid Vice President Venkaiah Naidu's tour of Qatar in a bid to bolster trade.
Qatar started to stand against these ill and hateful remarks on the Prophet Mohammad. Afterwards, Saudi Arabia described BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma's comments as "insulting" and called for "respect for beliefs and religions", according to a foreign ministry statement.
On Sunday, Riyadh is the latest to condemn the remarks. Qatar, Kuwait and Iran summoned the Indian envoy amid widespread calls on social media for a boycott of Indian goods in the Gulf.
Indian envoy in Doha was summoned by the foreign ministry and handed an official protest letter which said "Qatar is expecting a public apology and immediate condemnation of these remarks from the government of India". Qatar's condemnation came amid Vice President Venkaiah Naidu's high-profile tour of the wealthy Gulf state along with Indian business leaders to boost trade.
Neighbouring Kuwait, like Qatar, summoned India's ambassador, and demanded a "public apology for these hostile statements, the continuation of which would constitute a deterrent measure or punishment to increase extremism and hatred and undermine the elements of moderation".
Irani's new channel reported that Tehran called "insult against Prophet of Islam in an Indian TV show". The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), based in the Saudi city of Jeddah, also condemned the remarks.
Taking notes from India said that the remarks were made by "fringe elements" and did not reflect the government's opinion. It has also highlighted that the ruling BJP has taken action against the leaders -- one of whom was the party's national spokesperson and the other its media chief. Bahrain welcomed the decision, its foreign ministry said on Twitter.
The comments were made by BJP national spokesperson Nupur Sharma during a TV debate last week against the backdrop of a series of communal incidents across the country. BJP media chief Naveen Jindal posted a tweet about the Prophet, which he later deleted.
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