As the Indian government faces a massive international backlash over comments made by party leader Nupur Sharma about the Prophet Muhammad, the ruling BJP has initiated new guidelines for how its spokespersons and leaders can participate in television debates.
According to sources within the BJP, only authorised spokespersons and panellists will take part in television debates, and the media cell will be responsible for assigning them.
The spokespersons have been warned not to criticise any religion, its symbols, or the figures that are associated with those religions.
During the course of the heated discussions, members of the BJP panel are not allowed to cross the line. According to the sources, they have been strongly encouraged to control their language and refrain from becoming agitated or excited in any way. They can never violate the ideology or ideals of the party, no matter what the provocation is, they add.
Before appearing on any channel, spokespersons for the BJP have been instructed to make sure they are aware of the topic that will be discussed on television, that they have prepared for it, and that they have determined the BJP’s position on it.
“The agenda should make room for party spokespeople and panellists to continue speaking. They must be careful not to walk into any traps “sources said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants its spokespeople to place an emphasis on the government’s efforts to improve social welfare.
The comments made by two leaders have prompted condemnation from at least 15 countries, and the government is continuing to fight back against the criticism.
Approximately ten days ago, when the comments were being discussed on television, they were made by Nupur Sharma, who has since been suspended. She explained her comments on Twitter by saying that they were a reaction to “insults” that had been directed toward Lord Shiva. Naveen Jindal, another party leader, was kicked out of the organisation for posting a tweet about the Prophet, which he subsequently deleted. The comments were characterised as the “views of fringe elements” in an effort by the government to distance itself from the criticisms.
On Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued a statement in which it asserted that it “vigorously opposes any ideology that insults or demeans any sect or religion” and that it “does not promote such people or philosophy.” In spite of India’s attempts to mitigate the damage, a number of Muslim nations have demanded an apology from India and recalled their envoys in response to the comments.
Kalyan Chandra
Kalyan chandra is a political strategist, media and communication consultant with the expertise in public relations, marketing, political research, election campaign management, psephology and digital analytics. He focuses on strategic political consulting, offering services that include competitive research, public opinion collection, and digital media management. Kalyan has significantly contributed to successful campaigns across India with his meticulous approach and deep understanding of the political landscape.
