Intellectual and elite class of the Muslim community is perturbed over the unnecessary interference and diversified appeals of community clerics regarding voting for the 2014 general elections.
Notably, Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari on Friday announced his support for Congress while his younger brother Yahya Bukhari and the head priest of lucknow’s Shahi Asafi mosque Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad Naqvi on Monday called on the community to boycott the Congress.
Disturbed over the diversified appeals by the noted clerics of the community internationally acclaimed Urdu poet from the State capital Manzar Bhopali while talking to The Pioneer over the issue said, “Time has come when the community members should not look at these religious leaders who are confused among themselves. We should not look at any of the political party instead we should see at the image of the candidates contesting from our constituency and should vote for the one who is best among them.”
Bhopali further said, “While casting our vote we should not see caste, religion or the political outfit of the candidate, the only that need to be checked is that who would do comprehensive development of the area and under whose rule calm and peace would be maintained.”
Over the issue, member - Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) Dr Yusuf Khalil Hussaini Shifa said, “The appeal of these clerics does not have any effect as they do not have any following, they are limited to only small areas they live and hence the political leaders should also think twice before reaching them to garner their support.”
Dr Yusuf Shifa further said that the community members should vote as per their senses and local conditions, and if they feel that not one deserves to be their representative than they should also go for the None Of The Above (NOTA) option that has now been made available to them.
President Madhya Pradesh Muslim Vikas Parishad (MPMVP) Mohammed Mahir said, “The diversifying appeals of the clerics have confused the community. Before going public the senior religious leaders should have brainstorming sessions and should come up either with one view or better they should keep quiet. The different opinion expressed by them makes them laughable besides confusing the community.”
Muslim literacy Society (MlS) president Khalid Ghani is of the view that the clerics should stay away from politics and should left it for commoners. In order to teach a lesson to the Congress that treats Muslims like its slave, we have decided to campaign for the NOTA option, he added.