Boycott campaigns compel India’s ruling party to suspend two leaders
Boycott campaigns compel India’s ruling party to suspend two leaders
India’s ruling right-wing Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal for their offensive comments on Islam and the Prophet Muhammad after Arab and Muslim campaigns boycotting Indian products.
The party tried to defuse the tensions by condemning any disrespect for any religion, saying in a statement on Sunday that it is “against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion,” adding that it “does not promote such people or philosophy.”
“India’s Constitution gives the right to every citizen to practice any religion of his/her choice and to honor and respect every religion,” the statement noted, adding that the party is “committed to making India a great country where all are equal and everyone lives with dignity, where all are committed to India’s unity and integrity.”
However, Twitter in Arab region is still on fire, with the hashtag “Boycott India” trending, with many urging the removal of Indian products from shops.
