The BJP said in a statement on its website that the party respected all religions. “The BJP strongly denounces the insult of any religious figure of any religion.”
Sharma said on Twitter that she had said a few things in response to comments about a Hindu god, but that it was never her intention to hurt anyone’s religious feelings.
“If my words have caused discomfort or hurt the religious feelings of anyone, I will unconditionally withdraw my statement,” he said.
Another BJP spokesman, Naveen Jindal, was expelled from the party for his comments on Islam on social media, the BJP office said.
Jindal said on Twitter that he had questioned some comments made against Hindu gods. “I just questioned them, but that doesn’t mean I’m against any religion.”
The BJP statement also said: “The Bharatiya Janata Party is also firmly against any ideology that insults or denounces any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote these people or philosophy.”
Sharma’s comments sparked complaints from several Muslim countries, including Qatar and Kuwait.
Pakistan said it condemns in the “firmest possible terms” very derogatory comments. “Pakistan again calls on the international community to take immediate notice of the severely aggravating situation of Islamophobia in India,” he said.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Indian ambassador for comments.
The state of Kuwait also summoned the Indian ambassador and said he had handed him a note of protest in which Kuwait rejected and denounced the statements made by the BJP official.
The statement from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry also said it welcomed the BJP’s decision to suspend the official, but said Qatar was expecting a public apology and an immediate condemnation of such statements by the Indian government.