The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday (June 5) suspended its spokesperson Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal from the party's primary membership with immediate effect after alleged controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad during a television news debate that led to violence in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur, ANI reported. The suspension comes just hours after the party said that it strongly denounces insult of any religious personality. The BJP also said that it does not promote such people or philosophy. A communication to Sharma from the party's disciplinary committee secretary Om Pathak said she has expressed views contrary to the party's position on various matters, which is in clear violation of its constitution.
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"Pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities, assignments if any, with immediate effect," it said.
A communication from Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta to Jindal said his views on social media vitiate communal harmony and are in violation of the party's fundamental beliefs.
He has acted against the party's policies and ideology, Gupta said.
"Your primary membership is immediately terminated and you are expelled from the party," Gupta said.
Several FIRs have been filed against BJP national spokesperson Nupur Sharma in Maharashtra, and violence erupted in Kanpur on June 3 after her remarks on Prophet Muhammad during a TV debate. The police arrested a total of 29 people involved in the violence on Friday.
Citing her views "contrary to the Party's position on various matters," BJP suspends Nupur Sharma from the party with immediate effect pic.twitter.com/JBN3R7wLxY
— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2022
Meanwhile, In a press statement, BJP national general secretary, Arun Singh said, "During the thousands of years of the history of India every religion has blossomed and flourished. The Bharatiya Janata Party respects all religions. The BJP strongly denounces insults of any religious personality of any religion. The Bharatiya Janata Party is also strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy."
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Singh noted that India`s Constitution gives the right to every citizen to practise any religion of his/her choice and to honour and respect every religion.
"As India celebrates the 75th year of its Independence, we are 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, where all enjoy the fruits of growth and development," Singh said.
