BJP stages protest as SP MLA refuses to join 'Vande Mataram' recital

BJP workers on Friday staged a protest outside the house of Samajwadi Party's Maharashtra unit president and MLA Abu Asim Azmi in Mumbai after he declined city BJP chief and MLA Ameet Satam's invitation for a mass recital of ‘Vande Mataram' near his residence.

BJP leaders, including Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and party workers assembled outside Azmi's home in Colaba and recited the National Song.

Later, Azmi told the media that Muslims, who believe in Shariah, would not equate anyone else with Allah. Terming the BJP as Bharat Jalao Party, Azmi said, “They are worshippers of hate and want to divide the country on the basis on religion.”

“They want to suppress and weaken Muslims. Will I ask you to offer namaaz? Muslims worship only Allah and not zameen (ground) and the Sun," he added.