Terming demolition of Babri Masjid as an act of religious fanaticism and extreme prejudice, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday said communalism in all its forms was deplorable and asserted that it was the duty of the majority community to protect the minorities.

He also said that adopting the path of violence in the name of religion must be deplored. In an address to the 30th general session of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind at Islamic seminary Deoband here, Chidambaram hailed the 'fatwa' issued by it against terrorism last year and said it was not only Muslims but also for all right thinking people to follow it.

"While all manifestations of communalism are deplorable, the worst kind of communalism is unleashing communal violence," he said. The Home Minister said violence and violent means to achieve any objective is the anti-thesis of a civilized society governed by the rule of law.

"The demolition of the Babri Masjid was a manifestation of religious fanaticism and an act of extreme prejudice. Likewise, taking to the path of violence in the name of religion must also be deplored in unequivocal term," he said.

Chidambaram said he was glad to note that the Darul Ulloom at Deoband issued a 'fatwa' against terrorism on February 25, 2008 and categorically stated that 'Islam rejects all kinds of unwarranted violence, breach of peace, bloodshed, killing and plunder and does not allow it in any form'.

"I regard that decree as a call to duty to not only Muslims but to all right thinking people. I would urge that more voices be raised, loudly and clearly, against terrorism and all forms of violence," Chidambaram said.

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