The country's largest Islamic seminary, Darul Uloom Deoband, condemned the incident. “Khalid's death is a stigma on Akhilesh's government. Not only the Muslim community but all secular people want to know under what circumstances did he die,” Mufti Abul Qasmi Nomani, Rector, Darul Uloom Deoband, stated. Ashraf Usmani, a faculty and official spokesperson of the seminary, said, “There were reports, as per the Nimesh Commission, that 42 policemen were accused of falsely implicating Khalid and Tariq Qasmi. We cannot deny that this incident happened to save those policemen.”
“It is a cold blooded and well planned murder,” alleged Amir Rashadi, chief of Rashtriya Ulema Council.
Rihai Manch, an organisation spearheading campaign for the release of innocent Muslim youths, condemned the incident. Shahnawaz Alam, Manch's spokesperson, claimed that Cabinet minister Rajendra Choudhary was apprised about the life threat to these youths. “Choudhary should be held responsible for the lapse and resign,” Shahnawaz stated. Rihai Manch leader Shoib Ahmed claimed Mulayam was fooling Muslims. “We had demanded that Nimesh Commission report be made public. Withdrawing cases against Muslims was a gimmick by the state government,” Shoib stated.
Mahmood Madani, president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, doubted the police's version of the story. “The state government should immediately table Nimesh Commission report. Such conspiracy can be extended to other Muslim youths in jail. FIR on 42 police persons is insufficient. They should be immediately arrested and questioned,” Madani stated.
Zafrul Islam Khan, who heads All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, also blamed the state government.
Riyaz Ahmed, Minister of State for Khadi and Village Industries, however, defended the state government. “It is too early to arrive at any conclusion. It may be a natural death. Let the real cause of death come out in open. If there is any lapse, I will be first one to question the government,” he said.
Several other Muslim clerics based at Lucknow including Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli, Kalbe Jawwad and others too expressed concern over the incident demanding punishment for those who showed dereliction of duties.
Lately the Muslim vote bank of SP is looking shaky due to several recent incidents in the state. Mulayam, understanding that any erosion in the minority community votes will cost him dearly in Lok Sabha elections, had made all efforts to keep them intact. But perhaps luck is not on the side of Samajwadi Party.
On March 2, a massive sammelan of Muslims was organised by the minority wing of the party for the first time in Lucknow. Mulayam was present and appeared jubiliant. But the same day DSP Ziaul Haque was murdered in Kunda.
Again, Mulayam and Akhilesh made efforts to withdraw cases against “innocent Muslims” accused in terror cases, including Khalid Mujahid and Tariq Qasmi. But the efforts were overshadowed by the acquittal of Varun Gandhi in hate speech took center stage.
Finally, when the state government declared holiday on Ajmer Urs, death of Khalid Mujahid grabbed limelight.
For the last three days, Mulayam has been busy meeting Muslim clerics at his party office telling them about the efforts of the SP government towards the Muslim community. But the recent series of events in the state has made his job difficult.
Comments
Add new comment