The Supreme Court (SC) of India on Friday came down heavily on suspended BJP Spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her derogatory remarks on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that sparks outrage in India and across the world.
"The way she ignites emotions across the country...This lady is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country. She should "apologise to the whole country", the SC said while hearing a plea by Ms Sharma to transfer all FIRs filed against her across the country to Delhi.
"We saw the debate on how she was incited. But the way she said all this and later says she was a lawyer it is shameful. She should apologise to the whole country," said Justice Surya Kant.
Her comments showed her "obstinate and arrogant character", the Supreme Court said adding that Sharma’s “loose tongue has set the entire country on fire”.
The court however, underlined that her (Sharma’s) outburst is responsible for the unfortunate incident at Udaipur in the Indian state of Rajsthan where a tailer was hacked to death by two youths on Tuesday.
Nupur Sharma's offensive comments during a TV debate earlier this month, sparked massive protests in India and several Gulf states including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran and prompted them to summon Indian envoys to lodge their protest for the remarks of Nupur Sharma on the Prophet Muahmmad (PBUH).
Later, the ruling BJP high command suspended its National Spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her controversial remarks. The party also expelled Delhi BJP’s media in-charge Naveen Kumar Jindal from primary membership of the party.
According to media reports, during hearing Nupur Sharma’s lawyer said she had not used her name on the petition because of the threats. "She faces threats or she has become a security threat," the judges snapped.
The court snubbed Nupur Sharma's argument on "equal treatment" and "no discrimination", media report said.
"But when you file FIRs against others, they are immediately arrested but when it's against you nobody has dared to touch you," NDTV reported quoting the judges.
