BJP action against its netas placatory: Cong

■ ‘Saffron party took action following threats from external powers’

New Delhi, June 5: The Congress on Sunday termed the BJP’s action against two of its spokespersons over their remarks against Prophet Muhammad as “placatory”, saying it came under duress following “threats from external powers” and exposed the saffron party’s “muscular posturing”. The ruling Bharatiya JanataParty (BJP) suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal on Sunday after their alleged derogatory

CONG GENERAL secy and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala accused the BJP of pushing India into a dark age of religious polarisation to ‘subserve its parochial political agenda in the short term’

remarks against Prophet Muhammad.

Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala accused the BJP of pushing India into a dark age of religious polarisation to “subserve its parochial political agenda in the short term”.

“The placatory expulsion of two key members and spokespersons of the BJP from its primary membership, done obviously under duress of threats from external powers, exposes the much touted 'muscular posturing and positioning of the BJP and the Modi government,” Mr Surjewala said in a statement.

“Is the BJP sincere in course correcting? Is the BJP trying to atone for its immeasurable sins or is it more chameleon-like posturing?” he asked.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the Centre calling BJP spokespersons “fringe elements” is a joke.

The remarks by the BJP spokespersons drew international attention, with Qatar’s foreign ministry saying it has summoned Indian ambassador Deepak Mittal and handed over an official note to him on what the Gulf country called “total rejection and condemnation” of the controversial remarks of a BJP leader against Prophet Muhammad.

In a press release, a spokesperson of the Indian embassy in Qatar said the ambassador had a meeting at the foreign office, in which concerns were raised with regard to some offensive tweets by individuals in India, denigrating the religious personality.

“The ambassador conveyed that the tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India. These are the views of fringe elements,” the spokesperson said.