Rahul Gandhi blasts Modi-led BJP over 'shameful bigotry'

Congress leader says derogatory remarks by ruling party's spokespersons isolated India and damaged its global standing

As India continues to receive backlash from Muslim countries over the anti-Islam remarks by two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officials, Rahul Gandhi, leader of India's main opposition party, hit out at the ruling party for its "shameful bigotry".

Several Muslim countries, including Pakistan, took strong exception to the derogatory remarks made against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by the officials. Pakistan condemned the remarks in the strongest terms. Likewise, Qatar, Kuwait and Iran summoned Indian envoys to register their protest and demanded an apology from New Delhi.

"Divided internally, India becomes weak externally," Rahul said in a Twitter post.

He went on to say that the BJP’s shameful bigotry had not only isolated India but also damaged its standing globally.

Divided internally, India becomes weak externally.

BJP’s shameful bigotry has not only isolated us, but also damaged India’s standing globally.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 6, 2022

Shortly after, former Indian finance minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram pointed out the Indian government's belated response to the derogatory remarks.

Domestic criticism did not impel the BJP to act against the two spokespersons. It was only the international backlash that pushed the BJP to take action

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) June 6, 2022

The Congress leader further highlighted that the two BJP officials weren't the original creators of Islamophobia, but that someone else was behind it.

Mrs Nupur Sharma and Mr Naveen Kumar were not the original creators of the Islamophobia

Remember, they were trying to more loyal than the king

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) June 6, 2022

The BJP on Sunday suspended the two spokespersons but Pakistan and other Muslim countries said that it was not enough.

“Merely suspending and expelling party officials is not enough… the BJP must shun and denounce its extremist and fascist Hindutva ideology,” President Arif Alvi said.

The Foreign Office also urged India to “ensure decisive and demonstrable action” against those responsible.