Stop bullying minorities, Shahi Imam tells BJP

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 27

Joining the contentious issue of growing intolerance in the wake of remarks made by Bollywood star Aamir Khan, State Shahi Imam Maulana Habib-ur-Rahman today said angry reactions to Aamir’s statement were proof of the saffron brigade’s intolerance.

At a news conference here, he said the ruling dispensation was trying to intimidate and threaten the minorities. “The attacks of the BJP and its front organisations on the minorities are reprehensible and will not be tolerated,” he said, while adding the nation belonged as much to the Muslim community as to any other.

Alleging that those close to the ruling BJP were growing intolerant with each passing day, the Shahi Imam said members of the Muslim community or others, were not second class citizens that they could be ill-treated or threatened.

On the NDA’s double standards, he said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to remain silent on the Dadri lynching, his lieutenants (read Union Home Minister Raj Nath Singh) lost no time in reacting to the statement of actor Aamir Khan on growing intolerance. “It does not behove the ruling party to adopt such double standards,” he added.