Dutch leader Geert Wilders sends 'message of support' to BJP's Nupur Sharma

Geert Wilders, the leading far-right leader in the Netherlands announced on Saturday that he had personally written "brave" Nupur Sharma, a BJP spokeswoman whose remarks about Prophet Mohammed provoked significant demonstrations in 2022, a note of encouragement. Nupur Sharma is currently suspended by the BJP.

Geert Wilders, the unexpected winner of the Netherlands elections last year, stated on his official X account that he hoped to meet BJP leader Nupur Sharma when he visits India.

"I sent a personal message of support to the brave Nupur Sharma, who is threatened by Islamists for years now only for speaking the truth. Freedom loving people all over the world should support her. I hope to meet her one day while visiting India," he said on X.

He had stood up for Nupur Sharma in 2022 as well, when her remarks about Prophet Muhammad caused a stir.

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"Nupur Sharma is a hero who spoke nothing but the truth. The whole world should be proud of her. She deserves the Nobel Prize. And India is a Hindu nation, the Indian government is obliged to strongly defend Hindus against Islamic hate and violence," he had said in a tweet after Nupur Sharma's remarks on a TV debate sparked a row.

Following his nationalist Freedom Party (PVV)'s election victory last year, Geert Wilders has been attempting to build a coalition government in the Netherlands, but he has fallen well short of a majority.

He has been attempting to build a coalition with the center-right party of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the conservative New Social Contract, and the farmers' protest group BBB ever since his victory in November.

The Wilders-led coalition must surpass the magic number of 76 in the 150-seat Lower House in order to become the next prime minister of the Netherlands.