'Strongly denounce insults of religious personalities, religions': BJP suspends spokespersons Nupur Sharma, Naveen Jindal

"During the thousands of years of the history of India, every religion has blossomed and flourished. The Bharatiya Janata Party respects all religions. The BJP strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities of any religion," it said in a statement earlier in the day.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party is also strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy," it said.

"India's Constitution gives the right to every citizen to practise any religion of his/her choice and to honour and respect every religion," the party said.

"As India celebrates the 75th year of its Independence, we are committed to making India a great country where all are equal and everyone lives with dignity, where all are committed to India's unity and integrity, where all enjoy the fruits of growth and development," it added.

Subsequently, it released the suspension order for Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal.

Last week, during a TV debate Nupur Sharma's comments, purportedly insulting the prophet, elicited a massive outcry among Muslim groups. Amid the controversy, Naveen Kumar posted a tweet that angered many other people, said an NDTV report.

Huge violence erupted in the Becon Ganj area of Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur on Friday as protesters called market shutdowns to oppose the comments of the BJP leaders.

Media reports said at least 40 people, including 20 police personnel were injured. So far, the police have arrested 36 people and filed cases against 1,500 accused.

When the clashes occurred, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind were at a function merely 80 km away from the area.

Nupur Sharma has also been named in multiple police cases over her comment.

She has denied any wrongdoing and claimed she was receiving death threats.