India rejects OIC's 'motivated, misleading, and mischievous comments' on Prophet Muhammad row
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External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi
New Delhi: Centre on Monday rejected comments by Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as "unwarranted" and "narrow-minded" after the group slammed India for remarks against the Prophet and asked the UN to take necessary actions.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, or OIC, based in the Saudi city of Jeddah, had condemned remarks on Prophet Muhammad by the sacked BJP spokespersons, Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, saying it came in a "context of intensifying hatred and abuse towards Islam in India and systematic practices against Muslims".
In response, the Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We have seen the statement on India from the General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Government of India categorically rejects OIC Secretariat's unwarranted and narrow-minded comments."
The statement read that India accords the highest respect to all religions.
"The offensive tweets and comments denigrating a religious personality were made by certain individuals. They do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India. Strong action has already been taken against these individuals by relevant bodies," it said.
The statement added, "It is regrettable that OIC Secretariat has yet again chosen to make motivated, misleading, and mischievous comments. This only exposes its divisive agenda being pursued at the behest of vested interests."
"We would urge the OIC Secretariat to stop pursuing its communal approach and show due respect to all faiths and religions," it added.
The BJP high command suspended national spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Sunday over her controversial remarks on the Prophet Muhammad during a recent TV debate.
In a TV debate on the ongoing Gyanvapi row, Nupur Sharma said that certain things from Islamic religious books could be mocked by people. She said Muslims are mocking the Hindu faith and calling the 'Shivling' claimed to have been found inside the mosque complex a fountain.
(Based on PTI feed with minor edits)