Representational image.
Highlights
- BJP has issued fresh guidelines to its spokespersons appearing on TV debates
- Guidelines have come after Nupur Sharma's controversial remarks on Prophet triggering public outrage
- BJP has already suspended Nupur Sharma, expelled Delhi unit media head Naveen Kumar amid controversy
Nupur Sharma Prophet remarks: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) post the Nupur Sharma fiasco has now issued a fresh guidelines to all its spokespersons appearing on TV debates. The BJP on Sunday suspended Sharma and expelled its Delhi unit media head Naveen Kumar Jindal as the row over their alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad escalated with protests from some Muslim countries. Sharma's comments, made during a TV debate nearly 10 days ago, and Jindal's now-deleted tweets sparked a Twitter trend calling for a boycott of Indian products in some countries.
BJP issues fresh guidelines to spokespersons for appearing on TV debates
- Only official spokespersons and panelists will go to the debates on TV channels, who will be assigned by the party's media cell.
- The spokespersons have been advised to not speak against any religion, religious heads, worshipers, and religious symbols.
- They have been asked to use restrained language, and not to get excited or agitated. Spokespersons must stick to issues central to BJP and focus on debates around the welfare of the poor.
- Spokespersons have been asked not to violate the ideology and principles of the party even if provoked by anyone.
- Before appearing on any TV debate, they should know about the topic of the debate, must prepare for it, and should also know about the party line on any particular matter.
Meanwhile, amid demonstrations by Muslim groups and the strong reaction from countries like Kuwait, Qatar and Iran, the BJP issued a statement asserting that it respects all religions and strongly denounces insult of any religious personality.
Qatar and Kuwait summoned the Indian ambassadors and handed over to them protest notes on what the Gulf countries called categorical "rejection and condemnation" of the controversial remarks of the BJP leader against Prophet Muhammad.
The foreign ministries of the two Gulf countries welcomed the statement issued by the ruling party in India in which it announced the suspension of the leader.
ALSO READ | Nupur Sharma's remarks on Prophet Mohammad: How Arab media reported the controversy
ALSO READ | Prophet comment: Suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma summoned on June 22 by Thane Police
