The issue of extending support to Congress in the coming lok Sabha elections has apparently caused a split in the Bukhari family of Jama Masjid. While the Shahi Imam of the grand mosque Syed Ahmed Bukhari is likely to announce his support to Congress on Friday, his younger brother and president of Jama Masjid United Forum (JMUF) Syed Yahya Bukhari on Thursday said some new party should be given a chance and tested. Visibly upset over the meeting between his elder brother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi recently, Yahya further said Congress is the most communal and a bigger threat to Muslims in India.
“Majority of riots and mass killing of Muslims took place under the Congress regime. It is true that the people of minority were treated in the same fashion under the rule of BJP but Congress primarily should be blamed for the present state of Muslims in the country. It has always been playing a pivotal role to weaken our people economically and socially. The BJP is known for its frontal attack on us but Congress always backstabs,” Yahya told The Pioneer.
Without referring to the Aam Aadmi Party directly, he said, “Fresh faces should be elected to the Parliament. New people and parties should be given opportunity. In Delhi AAP is strong enough to counter BJP or Congress and in other states there are several other parties which can be tried and tested.” He also rejected the idea of giving a call to the community to vote, in mass, any political party from the seat of Jama Masjid.
“I strongly oppose the idea of this kind. Time has changed. Muslims are now more aware and competent enough to take their own decisions. They should decide their future themselves.
How can a committee of 11 people make a decision about the fate of MuslimsIJ” he said, adding that meeting between Ahmed Bukhari and UPA chairperson was totally uncalled for.
However, Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, Ahmed Bukhari sought to downplay the rift in the family. He said in a democracy one has the right to have a difference of opinion and power to take decisions on their own. “It is quite usual that in a family of four people, individuals may have different opinions. Tradition or law of the land does not prohibit this. But, it is Muslims to decide whether we need a country of Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Azad or the country be governed by Sadashiv Golwalkar or Narendra Modi,” he added.
While commenting on ongoing debate following his meeting with UPA Chairperson, he claimed that Muslims are expected to return to Congress fold, saffron bridge is anxious as their chances to get hold of the power are getting thinner. “When we support Samajwadi Party or Bahujan Samaj Party, there is no din. If Muslims want to support Congress, there is hullabaloo. WhyIJ If I make appeal to my community and people of my
community, it is not necessary that people will obey me and follow me. There is no need to panic” he said. Terming the AAP as aide of BJP, Ahmed Bukhari also said the creation of the novice party is an attempt to split the minority votes.