A BJP Leader Arrested in Kanpur for Derogatory Remarks against Prophet Mohammad, BJP Draws Fresh Guidelines for its Spokespersons

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, June 7: Even as the BJP, caught in the middle of an international storm over adverse comments on Prophet Mohammad as redrawn the guidelines for its spokespersons, action was taken against another party office-bearer for derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad.

Four days after riot broke out in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur over party spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s anti-Islam comments, a BJP leader was arrested on Tuesday for derogatory comments on Prophet Mohammad. “He was trying to spoil the atmosphere through his objectionable posts,” said police. “We will act against anyone who tries to play with religious sentiments,” said Kanpur Police Commissioner Vijay Meena.

Harshit Srivastava, an office bearer of the BJP Youth Wing, is the third party leader to face the heat after Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal over remarks on the religious leader. The BJP had on Sunday suspended Ms Sharma and expelled its Delhi unit media head Naveen Jindal.

On being contacted, a repentant Nupur Sharma said she “respect and accept its (the party’s) decision.” The party has sacked Jindal, whose tweets on the Prophet added fuel to the controversy. Nupur Sharma had earlier indicated that her comments – made during a television debate — were in response to “insults” made against Lord Shiva.

Facing uproar both at home and abroad in the Muslim world over “insulting” the prophet, the BJP on Tuesday laid down strict guidelines for spokespersons and leaders who will be the face of the party on media. The BJP sources said as per the new diktat following the Nupur Sharma crisis, only official spokespersons and panellists will now be allowed to appear on TV debates. The media cell has been charged with assigning spokespersons for the shows. “Use restrained language. Don’t get excited and agitated. Do not violate the ideology and principles of the party even at the instigation of anyone” – these are some of the new rules, the sources added.

Representatives have been advised to find out about the topic before going for a show. “Prepare for debates and find out the party line on it,” they were told. They have been warned against criticising any religion, its symbols or religious figures.

According to the fresh rules, spokespersons should not deviate from the party’s agenda and must be careful not to get trapped by anyone. They should also focus on telling the public about the work done for the welfare of the poor on the shows.

The BJP has been troubleshooting since the row around its now-suspended spokesperson Nupur Sharma drew criticism from other countries. The party has distanced itself from the comments made by its functionaries, saying that it respects all religion. At least 15 countries including Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Pakistan, Maldives and Indonesia, have strongly condemned the remarks made by Sharma during a TV show.