Muslim world pushes India for apology from ruling party BJP
The Indian government on Monday sought to calm anger at home and abroad following derogatory remarks by ruling party BJP members about the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him)_ as Islamic Nations continued to put pressure on New Delhi to apologise for hurting the sentiments of millions of Muslims around the world.
Top Indian officials remained engaged with managing the diplomatic fallout as more Muslim countries_ including Saudi Arabia_ Oman_ UAE_ Pakistan_ Maldives_ Jordan_ Libya_ Indonesia_ Afghanistan and Iran as well as the influential Al-Azhar University in Cairo demanded an apology from the government in New Delhi for allowing the derogatory remarks_ an Indian foreign ministry official said.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)_ in a statement_ said: 'These insults come in the context of the growing intensity in hatred of and insults to Islam in India and the systematic harassment of Muslims people.'
The OIC cited the latest decision to ban the hijab at educational institutions in several Indian states and the destruction of Muslim property to highlight what it said was the Indian government s bias.
Indian diplomats stationed in the Gulf and neighbouring Islamic countries like Iran and Pakistan were summoned by officials in those Nations to protest against the comments by BJP officials.
Indian external affairs ministry said in a statement the offensive tweets and comments did not_ in any way_ reflect the views of the government.
'Strong action has already been taken against these individuals by relevant bodies_' said Arindam Bagchi_ a government spokesman.
India's ruling party BJP said on Sunday it had suspended a spokesperson and expelled another official for hurting the religious sentiments of a Muslims community.
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