UAE raises voice against intolerance 
in India

The UAE believes it is a shared international responsibility to promote tolerance and coexistence between people. It practices what it preaches on communal and religious harmony and, therefore, has the moral weight to speak its mind and spell out its stance on the issue. The message is clear: It is time to rein in hate-mongers in India, a secular country that is home to 200 million Muslims who are an integral part of its culture, history, and heritage. Such incidents are unacceptable and, in a globalised world, could harm growing ties. It is also important to prevent any practice that sparks and fans religious hate between communities, said the UAE.

Such incidents are a blot on India’s secular ethos and hurt its growing stature in the world, more so among friends like the UAE where more than 3 million Indian expats reside. Other Gulf countries like Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia have also protested the comments made by BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on a television channel. Sharma has since been suspended from the primary membership of the party. Another party member, Navin Jindal, was expelled for his blasphemous tweet on June 1 against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The twin incidents sparked violent demonstrations in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh while straining relationships with Gulf countries and the wider Muslim world. Indian missions in the GCC have since been in damage-control mode and have clarified that the persons responsible were ‘fringe elements’. The remarks were “views of fringe elements” and did not reflect the government’s opinion, said one embassy.