Pakistan summons Indian envoy over BJP leaders' derogatory remarks against Prophet

Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday said that it has summoned the Indian envoy over the derogatory comments of now expelled and suspended BJP leaders on Prophet Mohammad.

As per a PTI report, Foreign Office (FO) in a statement conveyed the Government of Pakistan's categorical rejection and strong condemnation of the highly derogatory remarks.

It also said that the remarks are totally unacceptable and stressed that it has not only deeply hurt the sentiments of the people of Pakistan but of Muslims across the world.

The Indian diplomat was further told that Pakistan deplores the belated and perfunctory disciplinary actions taken by the BJP government against the said officials, which cannot assuage the pain caused to the Muslims," FO said.

In New Delhi, the BJP suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal after their controversial remarks against the Prophet, as it sought to defuse a row over the issue.

The FO said Pakistan was deeply concerned over the alarming rise in communal violence and hatred against the Muslims in India.

Pakistan strongly urged the BJP leadership and the government of India to unequivocally condemn the sacrilegious comments of the BJP officials and ensure that they were held accountable through decisive and demonstrable action against them for attacking the dignity of the Prophet.

"The government of India is also reminded of its obligations under international law to take immediate steps to protect its minorities from human rights violations, ensure their safety, security, and well-being and allow them to profess and practice their faiths in peace," the FO said.

Pakistan also asked the international community to take cognizance of and stop the "dangerously rising 'Hindutva' inspired Islamophobia" in India and prevail upon the Indian authorities to prevent the human rights violations against minorities, according to the FO.

The controversial remarks also sparked a Twitter trend in the Arab world calling for a boycott of Indian products.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran and Kuwait have also condemned the controversial remarks.