Use "restrained" language, don't get "agitated or excited", and "stay on the agenda" – these are some of the new guidelines issued by the Bharatiya Janata Party for its representatives appearing on TV news debate.
As reported by NDTV, only "authorised" spokespersons and party members will be allowed to participate and they will be assigned by the party's media cell. Participants were also "warned against criticising any religion, its symbols or religious figures".
This is even as India finds itself in a diplomatic row after its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma made comments on the Prophet during a Times Now debate. Her comments were echoed by Naveen Jindal, the party's media head in Delhi.
After multiple countries – including Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman, Bahrain, Indonesia, Jordan, Iraq, Libya and the UAE – took note, the BJP suspended Sharma and expelled Jindal.
Accordingly, the new guidelines were laid out. India Today quoted sources as saying the rules include: "Use restrained language. Don't get excited and agitated. Do not violate the ideology and principles of the party even at the instigation of anyone."
Participants must "prepare for debates and find out the party line on it". They should "not deviate from the party's agenda and must be careful not to get trapped by anyone".
In its response to the row, the BJP dismissed the comments by Sharma – who is their national spokesperson – as "views of fringe elements". But the BJP's party leaders and parliamentarians, in no way “fringe”, have taken turns to bait Muslims and rant against Islam. Watch this video for more.
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