New Delhi: The Supreme Court, on July 1, lashed out at former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for igniting tension and spreading enmity with her derogatory remarks on Prophet Muhammad and said "she and her loose tongue have set the country on fire".
The apex court said that she owes an apology to the country as her venomous comments have jeopardized religious harmony. Her hateful comments, which added fuel to the fire, also provoked the fringe elements on either side of the political spectrum.
"The way she has ignited emotions across the country. This lady is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country," said the judges.
Nupur Sharma's offensive remarks during a TV debate earlier this month triggered massive protests and outrage in India with several Gulf countries summoning Indian diplomats to issue severe reprimands.
"She actually has a loose tongue and has made all kinds of irresponsible statements on TV and set the entire country on fire. Yet, she claims to be a lawyer of 10 years standing... She should have immediately apologised for her comments to the whole country," the top court said while dismissing Nupur Sharma's petition to combine police complaints filed against her across the country into one.
Meanwhile, in the petition filed in the name of "NV Sharma", the suspended BJP leader had claimed that the video of her comments was "doctored mischievously" and "shared by anti-social elements".
When pressed about the "deceptive name" on her petition, her lawyer said that Nupur had not used her name because of the threats. The judges snapped: "She faces threats or she has become a security threat?"
The apex court also rebuffed Nupur Sharma's argument on "equal treatment" and "no discrimination" and the judges called out her hypocrisy.
"When you file FIRs against others, they are immediately arrested but when it's against you, nobody has dared to touch you," the judges said.
The Supreme court added that Nupur's "obstinate and arrogant character" was reflected in her comments.
"These remarks are very disturbing and smack of arrogance. What is her business to make such remarks? These remarks have led to unfortunate incidents in the country...These people are not religious. They do not have respect for other religions. These remarks were made for cheap publicity or political agenda or some other nefarious activities," the judges added.
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