While several Islamic nations ignited fire by commenting on Nupur Sharma’s remarks on Muhammad’s life, India’s neighbouring country, Bangladesh, responded quite differently, saying it’s an external issue for the country.
While interacting with Indian journalists in Dhaka on Saturday (June 11) evening, Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Dr Hasan Mahmud, said, “First of all, this is an external issue (for Bangladesh). This is the issue of India, not of Bangladesh. We don’t have to say anything.”
Mahmud expressed satisfaction with the Indian authorities’ response and said he would not like to ignite the issue.
Though he condemned the comments on Muhammad’s life, the minister said, “The Government of India has taken action, and we thank them for it. We congratulate the Government of India. Now the law will take its course.”
Despite receiving severe criticism from opposition leaders and several Islamic leaders in Bangladesh for condemning Nupur’s comments, the Sheikh Hasina government has remained firm and refused to provoke the situation.
“Why should I instigate, why should I ignite the issue? Has it not got enough attention (already)? My job is not to ignite,” said Mahmud.
Reacting to the protests in Bangladesh on Nupur’s comments, the minister warned strict action would be taken against those creating chaos over other country’s incidents.
“We do not tolerate offending any religion and if anyone tries to create chaos in this country over the incidents of other countries, it will be controlled with iron hands,” The Daily Star quoted the Bangladesh minister as having said.
Several Islamic nations reacted to Nupur Sharma’s comments on Muhammad’s life which were twisted by Alt-News co-founder and alleged ‘fact checker’ Muhammad Zubair when he shared an 85-second video on social media. Several Islamic nations summoned Indian Ambassadors and lodged their protests against the former BJP spokesperson’s comments.
Meanwhile, India conveyed to Qatar and Kuwait that it had taken strong action against those who made controversial remarks on Twitter against the minorities.
“The Government of India accords the highest respect to all religions. The offensive tweets and comments denigrating a religious personality were made by certain individuals. They do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India. Strong action has already been taken against these individuals by relevant bodies,” read the MEA release.
The 57-member OIC had raised concerns against the “systematic harassment of minorities in India” on Sunday. Reacting to the OIC’s statement, India slammed OIC and told the body to stop pursuing its communal approach and show due respect to all faiths and religions.
“It is regrettable that OIC Secretariat has yet again chosen to make motivated, misleading and mischievous comments. This only exposes its divisive agenda being pursued at the behest of vested interests,” said Bagchi.
Islamists have been issuing several rape and death threats to Nupur Sharma even after Nupur apologised for her comments.
AIMIM (Inquilab) leader Qavi Abbasi announced a bounty of 1 crore on Nupur Sharma. Reflecting the Taliban’s way of punishment in Afghanistan, an effigy of Nupur Sharma was hanging near a dargah on Friday in Karnataka’s Belagavi.
Violence erupted in several places after Friday prayers on June 10. Islamists took to the streets, pelted stones on police and vandalised public property in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
While Islamists continue to give vile threats to Nupur Sharma, Hindus in Nepal came out in support of the former BJP spokesperson and took a rally in several places with placards “We Support Nupur Sharma”.
Earlier, Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders supported Nupur Sharma’s comments and advised Indians to stand with her. He slammed Islamic nations for condemning Nupur’s comments and said Islamic nations have neither rule of law nor democracy. The Dutch lawmaker said Islamic nations persecute minorities and called Muhammad’s ideology offensive and abusive.
After coming out in support of Nupur Sharma, Wilders said he received death threats for supporting Nupur Sharma. He added that it would not change his stand and clarified that he would support her as she spoke the truth about Muhammad.
