“Don’t Criticise Any Religion, Its Symbols”: BJP’s New Rules For Spokespersons For TV Debates After Nupur Sharma Fiasco

On Sunday the party suspended Nupur Sharma, expelled Naveen Jindal, and also issued a statement asserting that it “respects all religions”.

The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP)  has set new boundaries for its spokespersons and leaders joining TV debates as its government faces a huge international backlash over party ex Spokesperson  Nupur Sharma’s comments on Prophet Muhammad.

• Only authorized spokespersons and panelists will participate in TV debates,  and they will be assigned by the media cell.
• The spokespersons have been warned against criticizing any religion, its symbols, or religious figures.
• BJP panelists have been Prohibited from crossing the line during heated discussions.
• No provocation can violate the party’s ideology or ideals.
• The First check for the topic of the TV discussion, prepare for it, and find out the party’s line on it before appearing on any channel.
• Spokespersons and panelists of the party should stay on the agenda. They should not fall into any trap
• The BJP also wants its spokespersons to focus on the government’s social welfare work, sources said.

On Sunday the party suspended Nupur Sharma, expelled Naveen Jindal, and also issued a statement asserting that it “respects all religions” and “strongly denounces insults of any religious personality”. The statement, made by party general secretary Arun Singh, said “The BJP strongly denounces insults of any religious personalities of any religion. The BJP is also against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy.”