India’s healthy ties with the world have helped it tide over the Prophet comments’ embarrassment

Bangladesh’s refusal to comment on the controversy surrounding the derogatory remarks on Prophet Muhammad must have elicited a sigh of relief in New Delhi. Islamic countries and Muslims all over the world have been slamming India for the remarks former Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma made last month. However, Bangladesh Information & Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Saturday called it “an external issue (for Bangladesh). This is the issue of India, not of Bangladesh. We don’t have to say anything”. In fact, he went on to laud the Indian Government for having taken action against her and another leader who supported her: “We strongly condemn any insult to the Holy Prophet whenever and wherever it happens. But the Government of India has taken action, and we thank them for it. We congratulate the Government of India. Now the law will take its course.” He made it clear that he didn’t want to “instigate” anyone or “ignite the issue”. This begs the question: Did the Arab nations ignite the issue? After all, they haven’t criticised China for the horrible treatment it metes out to the Uighurs in Xinjiang; the unfortunate Muslims in that province are facing a veritable genocide. Compared to Xinjiang, India is a paradise for Muslims, the depredations of saffron cowboys and hotheads notwithstanding. So why did the Muslim nations slam India over the Prophet remarks? Whatever may be the answer, the powers that be in our country cannot lose sight of the fact that discrimination and atrocities against Muslims cannot be allowed to take place.

Responding quickly to the outrage expressed by the Muslim nations, New Delhi went into an overdrive, rubbishing the controversial views as those belonging to those of “fringe elements” and filing a police complaint against Sharma. The BJP expelled her. This seems to have calmed tempers in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia, which condemned the remarks, had earlier appreciated the action against Sharma. Now Kuwait has also done something that would please the Indian Government. In Kuwait, the law prohibits foreigners from participating in protests and agitations. The authorities arrested and deported those who protested against Sharma’s remarks. It may be recalled that last week, it had summoned the Indian envoy to express its displeasure over the remarks. Even as protests against Sharma continue, the international row is likely to blow over in a short time. This has a lot to do with India’s conduct in general after Independence. As Bangladesh’s Mahmud said, “The soldiers of India shed their blood for the people of Bangladesh. You (India) opened your doors and your hearts to our people. The relationship between the peoples of Bangladesh and India was born out of the ashes of war and forged in our blood. We are indeed blood brothers.” Besides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on building good ties with the Arab world. Our good karma shouldn’t be allowed to vanish.