BJP endorses Naqvi in criticising Pope

New Delhi, Sept 16: The BJP today endorsed party Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's criticism against Pope Benedict XVI, for his alleged attack on Islam, saying no relgious leader should say anything that hurts religious sentiments of other people.

BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said the party disapproves of the Pope's comment. ''It was obvious that what the Pope had said was improper,'' he added.

Mr Naqvi, considered to be the Muslim face of the BJP, had yesterday sought 'clarification' from the Pope after he repoetedly linked Islam with terrorism. ''If he has criticised Islam, it will create social disharmony and hence he should tender an apology,'' Mr Naqvi added.

The VHP had refrained from commenting an the issue saying it had nothing to do with the fight between Islam and Christianity.

However, the BJP's criticism is seen as an attempt to strike balance because of its political and electoral compulsions.

Sources in the BJP said the Hindu religion has displayed that it can remain secular, peaceful and tolerant towards other religions by displaying accommodative spirit.

In a speech in Germany on Tuesday, the Pope quoted the 14th century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus, who had said ''Show me just what Mohammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.''

UNI