'Action against Sharma, Jindal will help restore faith of Muslims in party'

New Delhi, June 7

After suspension of Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal, the minority leaders of the BJP feel that it will help in restoring faith of Muslim community in the party.

On Sunday, the BJP suspended party national spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her comment on Prophet Muhammad during a TV debate. The Delhi BJP also expelled its media head Jindal from party for his social media comment on the founder of Islam.

BJP minority morcha national president Jamal Siddiqui told IANS that the action against two leaders sent a strong message among the community that there is no difference between BJP's words and action.

"The comments made by our leaders are not the thoughts of the BJP and it was not said by the BJP chief. After action against them by Prime Minister and party chief, there is feeling among the (Muslim) community that there is no difference between BJP's 'kathni aur karni' (words and action). The action will help in restoring faith of Muslim community in the party once again," Siddiqui said.

Siddiqui mentioned that the action will also send a strong message within the party that no one is allowed to speak against the party line for their own publicity.

He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi on several occasions advised party leaders not to make comments which hurt anyone's religious sentiment.

"Prime Minister advised not to make such comments which hurt the religious sentiment of the community or individual. On many occasions, he (Prime Minister) said that we have to take forward the politics of development. He had also said that while doing politics of development, some will try to stop, divert or derail us but we should not fall in their trap. We have to remain alert to avoid falling in their trap," Siddiqui said.

A minority leader pointed out that the action will connect the party with the Muslim community with a strong message that BJP does not discriminate on religious line.

Another minority leader said that the action echoed the Prime Minister's motto of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'.

On Sunday, before suspension of both the leaders from the party in a press statement, BJP national general secretary, Arun Singh had 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."