VHP: VHP demands blasphemy law, supports boycott of Qatar Airways on Twitter

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Amid a row over two BJP functionaries allegedly making controversial remarks on Islam, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday said there should be a stricter law against blasphemy in India. The VHP also supported the ‘Twitter trend’ being run, calling for boycott of Qatar Airways. The VHP, which is affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, questioned the Qatar government’s stand on the controversy, saying it insulted Hindu beliefs when some people called a recently found Shivling in Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque complex as a fountain.

A day before the VHP’s statement, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran and Kuwait had condemned the controversial statement and called for respect for beliefs and religions. The organization’s spokesperson Vinod Bansal, reacting to the stand of the Qatar government, tweeted, “Anti-Hindu and anti-national M.F. Love for Hussain and condemnation of Nupur Sharma…Wow Qatar Government…! Boycott Qatar Airways.

Another VHP spokesperson Vijay Shankar tweeted, “Blasphemy law in India is much needed now. He said that Hindu beliefs were insulted by calling Shivling a fountain in Kashi, now it is to be seen what action will be taken with them.

The BJP on Sunday suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled Delhi state media chief Naveen Kumar Jindal. This action was taken after Nupur Sharma and Jindal made objectionable statements against Prophet Mohammad, after which protests were lodged by some Muslim countries.