Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had left NDA after Narendra Modi was anointed as BJP’s campaign committee chief on the ground of his alleged communal image. However, Muslims belonging to various quarters are thinking differently.
The members of minority community are not only coming forward to endorse Modi’s initiatives — ‘Sadbhavana’ and ‘Development for all’ — but also praying for his success in the upcoming lok Sabha election.
It would be hard for the detractors of Modi to believe, but the fact is that the Gujarat Chief Minister’s acceptability among minorities has increased. latest example is president of All India Imam Organisation (Gujarat unit) Maulana lukman Tarapuri. The Imam is invited at Global Gujarati Conference in the USA along with other spiritual leaders belonging to various faiths. He would speak on the prevailing communal harmony after 2002 riots.
The event has been planned by the organisation ‘Friends of Gujarat’ from August 30 to September 1 at Edition, New Jersey. Modi is also expected to address the conference via video-conferencing from Gandhinagar. More than 40,000 Gujaratis from across the globe are expected to participate in the conference.
“There are certain elements that are tarnishing Gujarat’s image. I would like to speak on the reality of Gujarat,” said lukman Tarapuri, adding that fruits of development in the State are reaching to everyone that includes Muslims too.
Barring a few areas, ‘Sadbhavana’ is prevailing in the entire State as Muslims and Hindus are living peacefully and harmoniously, he said. “We have never come across any sort of ignorance or injustice despite being members of a minority community. There are people who are utilising Muslims of Gujarat for their personal gains,” added Tarapuri, who is also Imam of the Jama Masjid in Anand.
Talking about post-Godhra riots in 2002, the Imam said that riots were happened in many other States but those having vested interests only speak of Gujarat’s riots but not on riots occurred in other parts of the country. “Take the case of recent riots in Assam where plight of Muslims is worst. But no one is speaking on Assam riots but even after a decade hype being created for 2002 Gujarat riots. Those who worried about Muslims in Gujarat should also take care of our brothers in Assam too,” he questioned, adding that the Gujarat Chief Minister is being targeted by his opponents to gain politically and using Gujarat’s Muslims.
Not only Tarapuri, but a group of Muslims recently went to Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Dargah to offer prayers for Modi’s success in the upcoming lok Sabha elections.
Besides, Muslim Business Chamber (MBC) is also opening its second chapter in Ahmedabad only after New Delhi. Mohammad Saqib, an economist played instrumental role to establish MBC.