The Issue Of Insulting The Prophet Muhammad Became A Discussion When Foreign Minister Retno Visited India

Masses carry posters during a demonstration against the insult of the Prophet Muhammad SAW by Indian politician Nupur Sharma at the Indian Embassy, Jakarta, (photo: doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA – The issue of religion became one of the discussions when Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met with Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, in New Delhi, Friday, June 17. Retno immediately asked the issue of insults to the Prophet Muhammad raised by Indian politicians.

"I conveyed specifically to the Indian Foreign Minister regarding my concern and criticism of the statements of two BJP (Bharatiya Janata) politicians who insulted the Prophet Muhammad," said Retno Marsudi when delivering a media briefing via video regarding the Indonesia-India Joint Commission Meeting which took place in New Delhi, Last Friday.

In response, said Retno, the Indian Foreign Minister said that the statements of the two politicians did not reflect the position of the BJP party and in no way reflected the position of the government.

"The Indian Foreign Minister explained that the two politicians have been dismissed from their posts and have been disabled from the party," said Retno.

The Indian Foreign Minister then explained in more detail the stance taken by the BJP in response to the issue, namely that the BJP respects all religions.

The BJP also strongly opposes insults to religion, and the BJP strongly opposes ideologies that insult or demean certain religions.

Regarding this issue, Foreign Minister Retno reiterated the importance of continuing to develop a culture of tolerance and mutual respect.

"Only by respecting differences, including religious differences, can friendship and cooperation continue to be strengthened," he said.

Still addressing the same issue, the two countries agreed to resume the Indonesia-India Interfaith Dialogue (IIID) program which was held in 2018.

Previously, two BJP politicians, namely Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, reportedly issued statements insulting the Prophet Muhammad in television broadcasts and social media, respectively.

As a result of the incident, Sharma was suspended from his position as party spokesman while Jindal was dismissed from the party.