KTR's Remarks Amid Gulf Backlash: 'BJP Should Apologize, Not India'

Telangana Minister KTR has attacked the center over backlash from the Gulf following BJP spokespersons' remarks about Prophet Muhammad.

Mr. Rao has questioned why India should apologize for the "hate speeches of BJP bigots".

The minister said the PM's "silence was deafening & shocking when BJP MP Pragya Singh hailed assassination of Mahatma Gandhi".

"Let me remind you sir; What you permit is what you promote," he said, adding that "tacit support from top is what emboldened the bigotry & hatred".

Commenting on the BJP's action against its spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal, BSP chief Mayawati said the BJP should send those making such remarks to jail.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, too, slammed the government on similar lines.

"India has not made any mistake for which it should apologise. BJP has made the mistake. Why will the country compensate? The PM is being reminded of his Raj Dharma by Qatar and Kuwait. What can be more shameful?," he said in a video message.

"The PM and his party have made our heads hang in shame, and India is apologising? We do not accept that any Indian is at fault here. India always honours the values enshrined in the Constitution. The BJP does not do it; they must apologise, they must compensate."

India is facing a huge backlash from the Gulf over the remarks by the BJP spokespersons. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Iran have strongly condemned the remarks, describing them as "Islamophobic".

Qatar and Bahrain summoned the Indian envoy and conveyed their disappointment. Doha also said that it expects a public apology from the Indian government.

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have welcomed the BJP's action against the spokespersons.