Shahi Imam of Delhi Jama Masjid, Syed Maulana Ahmad Bukhari said it was result of misleading reports of Azam Khan that Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav made statement that no riot-hit victim was left in Muzaffarnagar relief camps.
"Minister Azam Khan, who does not care about Muslims, would have given such fake report to Mulayam Singh. He is trying to derail SP Chief and Akhilesh Yadav by giving such misleading reports," Bukhari told The Pioneer over phone on Tuesday.
He said the statement made by SP Chief was completely an irresponsible attempt to shun responsibility. I have been their in the camps and recently one of my associate was there. There were number of riot victims leading pathetic
life in the camps. "There could be a few suspicious persons living in the camps, but it doesn’t mean that all should be taken into the category of "conspirators", he added.
Attacking Congress party, Cleric said Congress should look itself in the mirror before alleging others. In state of Assam, where communal violence took places sometime back, still Muslims are compelled to live in camps but no rehab has taken place. Interestingly, at present the congress is ruling the state but they have done nothing so far. "It is a fact that Congress and BJP are trying to disturb the peace in state for their political gains only," he added.
Notably, Mulayam Singh had yesterday claimed that there were no riot victims at all in the camps, not even one. These are people who are conspirators hired by BJP and Congress. They have asked people to stay there at night and sit in dharnas. This is conspiracy of the people there. "They (riot victims) have all gone. Congress and BJP are provoking them to rake up the issue till elections," Yadav had said.
Expressing disappointment over SP Chief’s statement, Spokesperson, All India Shia Personal law Board, Maulana Yasoob Abbas said if he thinks that there were no riot victims living in the relief camps, then an inquiry should be ordered into the matter. It will clear his doubts over the issue. "After the inquiry, it comes out that Congress and BJP conspirators are living in the relief camps, strict action should be taken against them," he added.
Maulana said the state government should initiate development works for those living in the camps and not play politics in this matter. "A number of people were killed in the riots. Elections come and go but those killed cannot be brought back," he added.
General Secretary of All India Muslim Personal law Board (AIMPlB) Maulana Nizamuddin said the statement is politically motivated and SP Chief wants to give this issue a political colour. Those living in camps are scared which is why they did not want to return to their homes. They did not have anything to do with politics. "Had this been the case, they would not have been forced to leave their home. Such statements harm them," he added.