Nupur Sharma, a polarizing figure in Indian politics, gained prominence as a national spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before her suspension in June 2022. Known for her outspoken nature and legal background, Sharma’s career has been marked by significant achievements and intense controversies, most notably her remarks on Prophet Muhammad that sparked global outrage. Despite her suspension, she remains a notable figure, with recent public appearances and social media trends keeping her in the spotlight.
Early Life and Education
Nupur Sharma was born on April 23, 1985, in New Delhi, India, into a middle-class family. Raised in the capital, she attended Delhi Public School (DPS), where she excelled academically. Sharma pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University, one of India’s premier institutions. Her academic journey continued at the University of Delhi, where she earned a law degree (LLB). She furthered her education with a Master’s in Law (LLM) from the London School of Economics (LSE), showcasing her intellectual prowess and ambition. Her legal background would later shape her articulate and bold political persona.
During her college years, Sharma was actively involved in student politics, serving as the president of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) in 2008, representing the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This role marked her entry into the political sphere, aligning her with the BJP’s ideological framework.
Political Career with the BJP
Nupur Sharma’s political career began to take shape through her association with the BJP’s youth wing, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). Her eloquence and legal expertise made her a prominent face in the party, leading to her appointment as the national spokesperson in 2020. As a spokesperson, Sharma was known for her fiery debates on national television, defending the BJP’s policies and ideologies with conviction.
In 2015, Sharma contested the Delhi Assembly elections from the New Delhi constituency against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal. Despite a spirited campaign, she lost by a significant margin of over 35% votes, a setback that did not deter her from continuing her political journey. Sharma did not contest the 2020 Delhi elections but remained active in party activities until her suspension in 2022.
The 2022 Controversy: Prophet Muhammad Remarks
Nupur Sharma’s career took a dramatic turn in May 2022 during a televised debate on the Gyanvapi Mosque issue. Responding to comments she perceived as mocking Hindu beliefs, Sharma made remarks about Prophet Muhammad that were deemed derogatory by many. The comments, aired on a national news channel, went viral, triggering widespread protests across India and condemnation from several Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
The backlash was swift and severe. Violent protests erupted in states like Uttar Pradesh, and the controversy escalated internationally, prompting diplomatic interventions. The BJP, distancing itself from Sharma’s remarks, issued a statement emphasizing its respect for all religions and suspended her from the party on June 5, 2022. Sharma later apologized on social media, stating that she did not intend to hurt religious sentiments, but the damage was done. Multiple FIRs were filed against her for inciting hatred and insulting religious sentiments, and the Supreme Court criticized her, stating that her “loose tongue had put the entire country at risk.”
The controversy led to severe consequences, including death threats against Sharma and her family, necessitating security cover from the Delhi Police. In January 2023, she was granted an arms license due to the ongoing threats. The fallout also linked her indirectly to violent incidents, such as the beheading of a tailor in Udaipur, Rajasthan, who had expressed support for her on social media.
Post-Suspension Life and Public Appearances
Since her suspension, Nupur Sharma has maintained a low profile but has gradually re-entered public life. In 2024, she began attending seminars, protests, and religious events, maintaining an active presence on social media. In July 2024, she addressed an event in Ghaziabad, taking a veiled dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his “violent Hindus” remark, reiterating her stance against perceived conspiracies targeting Hindus.
In October 2024, Sharma faced another controversy when she commented on the death of Ram Gopal Mishra during the Bahraich violence in Uttar Pradesh. Her remarks, based on unverified media reports, were criticized after a post-mortem report contradicted her claims. She issued an apology, acknowledging her error.
In February 2025, Sharma made a rare public appearance at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where she was seen taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam and chanting Lord Shiva’s name. This event marked one of her few public outings since 2022 and garnered significant media attention.
Recent News and Controversies (2025)
Nupur Sharma continues to be a polarizing figure, with recent developments keeping her in the news:
- Delhi Assembly Elections Buzz (February 2025)
Following the BJP’s victory in the Delhi Assembly elections after 27 years, Sharma trended on social media, with supporters advocating for her to be considered for the Chief Minister’s post. Posts on X called her the “most deserving” candidate, though no official confirmation from the BJP supported these claims. A viral video falsely linked to the 2025 elections was clarified as footage from a 2024 event, highlighting misinformation surrounding her political comeback. - Continued Threats (2024–2025)
Sharma has faced ongoing death and rape threats since 2022, with several arrests made in connection to these incidents. In June 2024, another threat referencing her remarks and BJP leaders was reported, underscoring the persistent security concerns. - International Support from Geert Wilders (February 2024)
Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders publicly supported Sharma, calling her “brave” and expressing a desire to meet her. His endorsement, rooted in his defense of her 2022 remarks, reignited debates about her global impact. - Speculation on Political Comeback (2024–2025)
In March 2024, reports suggested Sharma was under consideration for a Lok Sabha ticket from Rae Bareli, though the BJP’s central leadership was cautious due to her controversial past. Similarly, her name surfaced during the 2025 Delhi elections, but no ticket was granted.
Top 10 Interesting Facts About Nupur Sharma
- Academic Excellence: Sharma holds an Economics degree from Lady Shri Ram College and an LLM from the London School of Economics.
- Student Leader: She was the DUSU president in 2008, representing ABVP.
- Legal Practitioner: Post-suspension, Sharma works as an independent legal practitioner.
- Electoral Defeat: She lost to Arvind Kejriwal in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections by over 35% votes.
- Prophet Controversy: Her 2022 remarks led to a diplomatic row with Muslim-majority nations.
- Supreme Court Rebuke: The Supreme Court criticized her for risking national security with her comments.
- Arms License: She received a gun license in 2023 due to persistent death threats.
- International Support: Dutch politician Geert Wilders called her a “hero” in 2022 and reiterated support in 2024.
- Maha Kumbh Appearance: Her 2025 appearance at the Maha Kumbh Mela marked a rare public outing.
- Social Media Influence: Despite suspension, Sharma remains active on X, with supporters pushing for her political comeback.
FAQs About Nupur Sharma
Q1: Who is Nupur Sharma?
A1: Nupur Sharma is a former BJP national spokesperson, suspended in June 2022 for controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad. She is a lawyer and former DUSU president.
A1: Nupur Sharma is a former BJP national spokesperson, suspended in June 2022 for controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad. She is a lawyer and former DUSU president.
Q2: Why was Nupur Sharma suspended from the BJP?
A2: She was suspended for her derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a 2022 TV debate, which sparked protests and diplomatic tensions.
A2: She was suspended for her derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a 2022 TV debate, which sparked protests and diplomatic tensions.
Q3: What controversies is Nupur Sharma associated with?
A3: Her major controversies include the 2022 Prophet remarks and her 2024 comments on the Bahraich violence, for which she later apologized.
A3: Her major controversies include the 2022 Prophet remarks and her 2024 comments on the Bahraich violence, for which she later apologized.
Q4: Is Nupur Sharma still active in politics?
A4: While suspended, she has attended public events and trended as a potential candidate for the 2025 Delhi elections, though no official role has been confirmed.
A4: While suspended, she has attended public events and trended as a potential candidate for the 2025 Delhi elections, though no official role has been confirmed.
Q5: What recent events involved Nupur Sharma?
A5: In February 2025, she took a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh Mela, and her name trended during the Delhi elections.
A5: In February 2025, she took a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh Mela, and her name trended during the Delhi elections.
Q6: Why does Nupur Sharma receive death threats?
A6: Her 2022 remarks led to widespread outrage, resulting in ongoing threats, prompting security measures and an arms license.
A6: Her 2022 remarks led to widespread outrage, resulting in ongoing threats, prompting security measures and an arms license.
Conclusion
Nupur Sharma’s journey from a promising BJP leader to a suspended politician embroiled in controversy reflects the complexities of public life in India. Her academic achievements, political rise, and the 2022 controversy have made her a polarizing yet influential figure. Recent events, such as her Maha Kumbh appearance and social media trends, indicate that her story is far from over. As debates about her potential political comeback continue, Sharma remains a figure of intrigue and contention in Indian politics.
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