Shahi Imam reiterates commitment to reconstruct mosque

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, December 6

Shahi Imam of Punjab Maulana Habib-ur-Rahman today reiterated the commitment of the Muslim community for reconstruction of the Babri Masjid. He said it was the democratic right of members of Muslim community, which no radical elements could snatch from them.

The Imam was addressing a news conference here after a 'condolence' meeting organised by the All- India Majlis Ahrare-Hind to mark the black day when structure of the Babri Masjid was demolished by communal forces in violation of the spirit of the Indian Constitution and directions of the Supreme Court.

A resolution condemning the communal and divisive forces for razing the structure of the mosque was also adopted at the meeting, he said, and added that Babri Masjid remains a mosque for the Muslims and mere demolition of the structure could not do away with its existence.

The Shahi Imam unsparingly attacked certain self-seeking people like Azam Khan, who, he said, had exploited the Muslims to further their political careers and gain political power at the cost of the community.

Coming down heavily on the ministers of the NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for allegedly using abusive language and sowing the seed of communal hatred in their public utterances, Rahman targeted Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, whom he charged with ruling like a dictator.

"Such provocative behavior and derogatory remarks cannot deter minorities in India, which is a secular nation. Nobody, not even a minister, has the right to spread communal hatred against any particular region or caste,” he said.

Charging Modi with adopting double standards, Rahman said: "While being the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi used to publically flog Pakistan for cross-border terrorism. But on becoming the Prime Minister, what he did was to invite Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his oath-taking ceremony which shows that Modi does not practice what he preaches."

Asserting that the Muslims in India were as patriotic as any other community, the Imam made a strong case for having no dialogues with Pakistan till it openly denounced acts of terrorism and agreed to bring the terrorists to book.