07-31-2008, 05:43 AM
<b>Sushmaâs remark invites Gujarat Muslim ire</b>
Syed Khalique Ahmed
Posted online: Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 2338 hrs Print Email
Ahmedabad, July 30: BJP leader Sushma Swarajâs remark that âblasts are an attempt by the UPA Government to win over Muslim votes which got divided over pro-American deal pursued by itâ has invited strong reactions and condemnation from Muslims in the state.
BJP silent on Sushma claim blasts a plot to shift vote-note focusNo question, Govt must go: BJPPM main target, Advani drags in Amarnath into debateAs it pushes for UPA ouster, unease in BJP over the rise and rise of Maya
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Angry over her remark made at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday, Muslim leaders here asked if Swaraj meant by her comments that âMuslims throughout the country were happy at the blasts and would return to the Congressfold nowâ.
Condemning Swaraj in the strongest terms, former professor of Physics at M S University and Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) president J S Bandukwala said, âIt appears Sushma is out of her mind. If this is the type of leadership the BJP has at national level, no one can save the country.â</b>
âFrustration over her partyâs failure to grab power during the trust vote seems to have motivated her to make such an irresponsible statement,â said Hanif Lakdawala of NGO Sanchetna. âWith UP Chief Minister Mayawati emerging as an alternative to lead the non-Congress parties at the national level, the BJP has virtually become isolated and reduced to pariah status. That is why it is using a language to provoke communal sentiments and divide society on religious lines to gain benefits in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls,â said Lakdawala.
However, he expressed confidence that no rational person would buy her idea. He urged senior BJP leaders to condemn her statement and also restrain her from making such senseless remarks in future.
Joining the issue, leading advocate Hashim Qureshi said, âSwarajâs statement was an indication how frustrated the BJP leaders felt after the trust vote and were trying to use religious sentiments for political dividends.â
While demanding an impartial investigation into the blasts by the CBI, Qureshi said investigators should also interrogate certain elements from the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal because some activists of these outfits had been found to be involved in Coimbatore, Nanded and Thane blasts.
âMoreover, the Indo-US nuclear deal has nothing to do with Muslim support to the Congress. Muslims in UP and Bihar had withdrawn their support to the Congress long back and voted for regional leaders like BSP, SP and RJD,â Qureshi added.
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Advocate Sofia Khan said linking the Indo-US nuclear deal with Muslims was an attempt to communalise society. âWhat Swaraj has stated displays her political immaturity. It is really shameful that she is attempting to cash in politically from the blasts when both Hindus and Muslims have suffered from it and the law and order agencies are having a tough time in ensuring peace and harmony,â said Sofia.
</b>
Syed Khalique Ahmed
Posted online: Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 2338 hrs Print Email
Ahmedabad, July 30: BJP leader Sushma Swarajâs remark that âblasts are an attempt by the UPA Government to win over Muslim votes which got divided over pro-American deal pursued by itâ has invited strong reactions and condemnation from Muslims in the state.
BJP silent on Sushma claim blasts a plot to shift vote-note focusNo question, Govt must go: BJPPM main target, Advani drags in Amarnath into debateAs it pushes for UPA ouster, unease in BJP over the rise and rise of Maya
<b>
Angry over her remark made at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday, Muslim leaders here asked if Swaraj meant by her comments that âMuslims throughout the country were happy at the blasts and would return to the Congressfold nowâ.
Condemning Swaraj in the strongest terms, former professor of Physics at M S University and Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) president J S Bandukwala said, âIt appears Sushma is out of her mind. If this is the type of leadership the BJP has at national level, no one can save the country.â</b>
âFrustration over her partyâs failure to grab power during the trust vote seems to have motivated her to make such an irresponsible statement,â said Hanif Lakdawala of NGO Sanchetna. âWith UP Chief Minister Mayawati emerging as an alternative to lead the non-Congress parties at the national level, the BJP has virtually become isolated and reduced to pariah status. That is why it is using a language to provoke communal sentiments and divide society on religious lines to gain benefits in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls,â said Lakdawala.
However, he expressed confidence that no rational person would buy her idea. He urged senior BJP leaders to condemn her statement and also restrain her from making such senseless remarks in future.
Joining the issue, leading advocate Hashim Qureshi said, âSwarajâs statement was an indication how frustrated the BJP leaders felt after the trust vote and were trying to use religious sentiments for political dividends.â
While demanding an impartial investigation into the blasts by the CBI, Qureshi said investigators should also interrogate certain elements from the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal because some activists of these outfits had been found to be involved in Coimbatore, Nanded and Thane blasts.
âMoreover, the Indo-US nuclear deal has nothing to do with Muslim support to the Congress. Muslims in UP and Bihar had withdrawn their support to the Congress long back and voted for regional leaders like BSP, SP and RJD,â Qureshi added.
<b>
Advocate Sofia Khan said linking the Indo-US nuclear deal with Muslims was an attempt to communalise society. âWhat Swaraj has stated displays her political immaturity. It is really shameful that she is attempting to cash in politically from the blasts when both Hindus and Muslims have suffered from it and the law and order agencies are having a tough time in ensuring peace and harmony,â said Sofia.
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