Published: 2022-06-16 16:19
Last Updated: 2024-03-25 14:09
India began its international damage control efforts immediately after Nupur Sharma, the spokesperson for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India made derogatory comments about the Prophet Muhammad.
The ruling party suspended Sharma and issued a statement apologizing for her comments, saying “The BJP strongly denounces insults of any religious personalities of any religion. The BJP is also against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy.”
Over 20 countries condemned the remarks and widespread protests took place in the country as Muslims displayed their rejection of the comments.
Amnesty International, which is a top human rights group, said that India must immediately end their “vicious” crackdown on Muslims who dare to speak up.
‘Houses, shops and small establishments have been bulldozed in India, disproportionately targeting Muslims in the Hindu-majority country,’ said ABC news.
Amnesty said that the authorities were “selectively and viciously cracking down on Muslims who dare to speak up … against the discrimination faced by them.”
“Cracking down on protesters with excessive use of force, arbitrary detention and punitive house demolitions … is in complete violation of India’s commitments under international human rights law.”
Additionally, an Arabic hashtag trended on Twitter that demanded Hindus be expelled from Gulf countries, in response to what has been going on.
We apologize to the Muslims of India, the Islamic countries are still sleeping,
— ﮼النْذِير (@alnther1) June 15, 2022
This girl is not Ukrainian to be defended by the Arab and Western media.
#اطردوا_الهندوس_من_الخليج pic.twitter.com/GW7oEYy7pJ
One user wrote “Do not give your money to the Hindus, for they will kill your Muslim brothers in India with it.”
The Islamic nation is not powerless.. Use your pressure cards..
— MUBEEN AHMAD (@MUBEENAHMADPTI) June 16, 2022
Do not give your money to the Hindus so that they may kill your Muslim brothers in India with it
#اطردوا_الهندوس_من_الخليج pic.twitter.com/Zlvwg9pwHL
Another tweet requested they be replaced with Syrian, Iraqi and Yemeni refugees, while attaching an image that shows the number of Indians who live in each Gulf state.
According to the tweet, there are 3,400,000 Indians in the UAE, 2,500,000 in Saudi Arabia, 1,029,000 in Kuwait, 779,000 in Oman, 756,000 in Qatar and 332,000 in Bahrain.
Replace Hindus with Syrian, Iraqi and Yemeni refugees. Your brothers in blood and religion #اطردوا_الهندوس_من_الخليج pic.twitter.com/okqcbI478F
— الخُولبني (@ALKhulbni) June 14, 2022
Another user called what has been going on a genocide.
Gulf countries can do more than condemnation, Indian Muslims suffering under fascist regime, we must stop the Anti-Muslim genocide.#اطردوا_الهندوس_من_الخليج #StandWithAfreenFatima #Islamophobia_in_india #غضبة_المليار_لرسول_الله pic.twitter.com/EOSweRGuyg
— Ahmed Alsomairi (@Alsomairi_Ahmed) June 14, 2022
The lie of human rights is clear ۔towards Muslims.#اطردوا_الهندوس_من_الخليج pic.twitter.com/So2NgZhYnN
— Sheikh Rafiq usmani (@SRusmaniPK) June 14, 2022