Prophet Muhammed Remarks Row: More Islamic Nations Condemn Nupur Sharma's Comment | Top Developments

Recently, Maldives has joined the league of the nations that are criticising India for the remarks made by two BJP leaders, the other being Naveen Kumar Jindal.

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Amid the ongoing row over controversial remarks made by now-suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma against Prophet Muhammad, many nations have joined the criticism against India. These nations include many Gulf countries which are otherwise considered close to India. Recently, Maldives has joined the league of the nations that are criticising India for the remarks made by two BJP leaders, the other being Naveen Kumar Jindal.

Here are the major developments in the controversy. 

• Nearly 15 countries officially condemned the comments made on Prophet Muhammad including, Maldives, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Oman, and Pakistan. 
• India’s Ambassadors in some of these countries were called upon by the leaders to explain the derogatory remarks, demanding an apology that included Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia among others. 
• The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), an organisation of 57 Muslim countries also condemned the derogatory remarks and urged the United Nations to ensure the rights of minorities are protected in India.
• Meanwhile, the opposition also has been building pressure on the ruling BJP to take legal action against those who made derogatory remarks, for denting the country’s image at the international level.
• BJP has been trying to distance itself from the controversy by suspending and expelling Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal. 
• India has also issued an official statement saying that the remarks do not reflect the ideology of the country as they were made by some “fringe elements.”
• “In line with our civilisational heritage and strong cultural traditions of unity in diversity, the Government of India accords the highest respect to all religions. Strong action has already been taken against those who made the derogatory remarks,” said the statement by the Indian Embassy in Doha.
• India has described the statement of OIC as "unwarranted and narrow-minded comments".
• India’s Foreign Minsitry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a statement, "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.”