An international diplomatic rift with the Maldives has engulfed India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following the part’s two spokespersons insulted Prophet Muhammad amidst the opposition’s ‘India Out’ campaign.
Nupur Sharma, a spokesperson of BJP is reported to have insulted the prophet and his wife Aisha in a TV debate last week. Following an outcry over the comments made during the debate, Sharma’s colleague Jindal is reported to have posted a now-deleted tweet about the prophet that also angered many.
Maldives’ opposition party Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) along with the current administration’s coalition partners Adhaalath Party and Jumhooree Party (JP) have condemned the derogatory remarks made by the spokesperson of BJP. However, the government and the main ruling party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is yet to make an official statement regarding the situation.
Moreover, an emergency motion was filed today at Parliament by the MP of Maduvvari Constituency, Adam Shareef to seek an official statement from the government condemning the remarks made by spokespersons of BJP, which was rejected after 33 MPs representing the ruling MDP voted against the motion.
Many Islamic countries including Pakistan, Kuwait, and Qatar have condemned the controversial remarks. While welcoming the BJP statement and suspension of staff involved in the Islamophobic remarks, many are expecting a public apology and condemnation of the remarks by the government of India.
