Kuwait supermarket removes Indian products from shelves

The issue of displeasure of the Gulf countries over the remarks of two BJP leaders on Prophet Muhammad does not seem to stop at the moment. A supermarket in Kuwait has removed Indian products from its shelves. Iran has become the new country in the Middle East to summon an Indian envoy over the remarks of a BJP functionary on Prophet Muhammad. Terming the comments as anti-Islam, the stores of Al Ardiya Co-operative Society have deposited Indian tea and other products in trolleys. Apart from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other countries of the region, Al Azhar University in Egypt has strongly criticized the statement of the BJP spokesperson. Taking action, BJP has suspended the spokesperson Nupur Sharma. In supermarkets outside Kuwait City, shelves of rice sacks, spices and chillies have been covered with plastic sheets. The message in Arabic language read, “We have removed Indian products.”

The store’s chief executive officer (CEO) Nasser Al Mutairi told AFP news agency, “As Kuwaiti-Muslims, we cannot tolerate the disrespect of the Prophet.” An official of this chain said that the boycott at the company level is also being considered. There is a lot of resentment among Muslims about the comment of Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma. Last week, this comment by Nupur Sharma on TV was cited as the reason for the protests/cluds in Uttar Pradesh. His arrest was demanded in the demonstration.

The Indian government has termed the comments “inappropriate” and “narrow-minded”. “New Delhi holds the highest respect for all religions,” said Arindam Bagchi, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. He said, “Aggressive tweets and inappropriate remarks were made against a revered personality by some individuals. These comments do not reflect the views of the Government of India in any way.” He said that strict action has already been taken against these people by the concerned bodies.