Multiple nations joined the bandwagon, condemning India for "remarks against Prophet Mohammad" by two former BJP functionaries. As many as 15 countries—Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, Iran, Jordan, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Maldives, Libya, Pakistan and Indonesia—have summoned the Indian ambassadors in respective nations.
In a statement on Sunday, the general secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned and denounced "the denigration of Prophet Muhammad by representatives of India's ruling party". In a release, they said: “These cases of defamation are part of a growing spate of hatred and defamation of Islam in India and systematic practices against Indian Muslims, particularly in light of a set of decisions to prohibit the use of hijab in educational institutions in some Indian states, including demolition of Muslims' properties and growing violence against them.”
“The OIC calls on the Indian authorities to decisively address these incidents of defamation and all forms of insult to the noble Prophet and Islam and to bring those who incite and perpetrate violence against Muslims to justice and hold those behind them accountable,” a release said.
The organisation demanded that United Nations to take necessary steps to challenge practices targeting Muslims in India.
However, India called the comments unwarranted and narrow-minded. In a statement, official spokesperson of MEA, Arindam Bagchi, said, “The government of India accords the highest respect to all religions. The offensive tweets and comments denigrating a religious personality were made by certain individuals. They do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the government of India. Strong action has already been taken against these individuals by relevant bodies.”
He added that it was regrettable that the OIC secretariat has yet again chosen to make motivated, misleading and mischievous comments. It only exposes its divisive agenda being pursued at the behest of vested interests. “We would urge the OIC secretariat to stop pursuing its communal approach and show due respect to all faiths and religions,” Arindam said. The MEA hit out strongly against Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and called the comments from Pakistan absurd. The MEA said in a release that it called on Pakistan to focus on the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities, instead of engaging in alarmist propaganda and attempting to foment communal disharmony in India.
Amid the row, Qatar reportedly cancelled official dinner with vice president Venkiah Naidu during his recent visit to the nation. Meanwhile, hashtags demanding boycott of Indian products is trending on twitter. As an act of retaliation, hashtags demanding boycott of Qatar airways, are also trending in social media.
The Delhi police has registered a case against persons who issued death threats against suspended BJP functionary Nupur Sharma. The Mumbai police has filed charges against Nupur for her alleged comments against the Prophet.