Remarks on Prophet: Kuwait to deport expats over protests

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 13

The Kuwait Government has issued instructions to arrest and deport foreigners who participated in a protest against the controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammad by two former BJP functionaries.

Violated regulations

They violated regulations that stipulate that demonstrations by expats cannot to be organised in the Gulf nation.

China wades into controversy

New Delhi: China on Monday entered the row over remarks made against Prophet Mohammed by two cashiered BJP office-bearers by stating it “believes that different civilisations, different religions should respect each other and co-exist on an equal footing”. Asked by official Chinese media about the turmoil in India over the remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said he hoped the “incident is properly managed”. “It is important to abandon arrogance and prejudice and promote dialogue and harmonious co-existence,” he said. TNS

Kuwait said the protestors would be deported to their respective countries as they had violated the laws and regulations of the country that stipulated that sit-ins or demonstrations by expats were not to be organised in the Gulf nation, reported Kuwaiti media.

“The detectives are in the process of arresting them and referring to the deportation centre to be deported to their countries and will be banned from entering Kuwait again,” a news report said.

There are over 10 lakh Indians legally residing in Kuwait. A group of 40-50 expatriates, suspected to be from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, had demonstrated in the Fahaheel area after Friday prayers.

The Kuwait Foreign Office had summoned Indian envoy Sibi George over the remarks by former BJP functionaries. It had handed him a protest note expressing Kuwait’s “categorical rejection and condemnation”. At the same time, it had welcomed the BJP statement that announced disciplinary action against the leaders.