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PBS NewsHourDec 27, 2021
Indian Government Sparks Backlash Over Insulting Comments About Islam
Image copyright: Screengrab/Twitter [via Independent]
The Facts
Derogatory statements about Islam and the Prophet Mohammad made by two officials in India's ruling party have sparked diplomatic backlash from Middle Eastern countries.
Nupur Sharma, a national spokeswoman for India's PM Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), made remarks about the prophet and his wife last week while appearing on a right-wing Indian news channel. The party's media chief Naveen Jindal also posted a controversial tweet, which he later deleted.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
In India, years of a radical Hindu administration has led to brutal Muslim oppression. The party is currently more politically dominant than at any other time in recent memory and it is damaging the Indian nation. Since winning re-election, Modi has stirred his far-right Hindu patriot base, a large number of whom consider Muslims to be intruders in a legitimately Hindu India.
Pro-establishment narrative
The BJP have clarified that the remarks do not reflect the views of the government and has condemned them as "views of fringe elements." The fact that the BJP took swift action against Sharma and Jindal and issued a strong statement denouncing religious insults speaks for itself.