Anna campaign not inclusive,no Muslim in core team: Bukhari

Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari,in his speech before the Friday prayers,urged Muslims to stay away from the campaign led by activist Anna Hazare. He alleged it was communal and non-inclusive.

Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari,in his speech before the Friday prayers,urged Muslims to stay away from the campaign led by activist Anna Hazare. He alleged it was communal and non-inclusive.

Bukhari told Newsline that Hazares praise for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had hurt Muslim sentiments. We believe that corruption is a big issue today but communalism is a greater concern. During the Gujarat riots,both Hindus and Muslims suffered. Annas praise of Modi is unacceptable. Had it been an anti-communalism movement,I would have appealed to Muslims to be part of it since communalism destroys not just communities but nations… There is no Dalit,Muslim or Sikh in his core team, he said.

I asked Kiran Bedi on what basis had she asked us to join Hazares movement. I was told he is a Gandhian. But in Gandhis movement,Hindus,Muslims,Sikhs and Christians participated equally. I told her we need to change the system and change the thinking of the people of the country. A law against corruption will not change things but make it worse, Bukhari said.

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He said slogans like Vande Matram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai were against the tenets of Islam and,Muslims should not participate.

He questioned why Hazare did not go on a hunger strike when Gujarat was burning. I wish Anna could answer why he never went on anshan when there were riots in Maharashtra and when atrocities on North Indians were done by the Sena? Why was he silent when Christians and Sikhs were made victims of communal riots? I wish Anna could see communalism as a much bigger concern, he said.

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