A ruling party spokeswoman whose remarks on Islam embroiled India in a diplomatic row and sparked huge protests should apologize for having “set the country on fire,” New Delhi’s top court said Friday.
Anger engulfed the Muslim world last month after Nupur Sharma’s incendiary comments during a TV debate on the relationship between Prophet Mohammed and his youngest wife, with nearly 20 countries calling in their Indian ambassadors for an explanation.
Rallies also erupted around South Asia, with police killing two demonstrators in India, while this week two Muslim men were accused of the grisly murder of a Hindu tailor who had posted in support of Sharma on Facebook.
For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
“She and her loose tongue have set the country on fire,” India’s Supreme Court said during a procedural hearing on several criminal complaints filed against Sharma.
“This lady is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country,” it added. “She should apologize to the whole nation.”
Since her comments, Sharma has been subjected to multiple police complaints filed against her across India by members of the public.
While the 37-year-old’s whereabouts are unknown, her lawyer was in court asking that the cases be consolidated in New Delhi, a request denied Friday.
Sharma was at one time seen as a rising star in the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but her remarks forced it into damage control.
The party soon suspended the spokeswoman from her post and issued a statement insisting it respected all religions.
Read more:
India’s prime minister Modi meets UAE President Sheikh Mohamed
Arrest of Indian Muslim journalist for hurting religious sentiments sparks outrage
Rights group urges India to stop ‘vicious’ Muslim protest crackdown
