Even though Shia Cleric, Maulana Dr Kalbe Sadiq’s statement would have boosted moral of BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate ahead of general elections 2014 but majority of Muslim fraternity feels bitter about his comment.
Notably, Cleric said Muslims could vote for Narendra Modi if he makes some changes in himself. He was even ready to forgive him if he apologises. Though Dr Sadiq is the vice president of All India Muslim Personal law Board (AIMPlB), but even board has cornered itself from the cleric’s remark on Modi. "Dr Sadiq was vice president of the board but it doesn’t means that the statement was given as VP. It was his personal opinion and has not relation with AIMPlB," said Zafaryaab Jilani, executive member of AIMPlB.
However Jilani doesn’t made any comment on the cleric’s statement but preferred to get cornered from it. Imam-e-Juma and Shia Cleric, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad had been one of critic of Narendra Modi. last year, Jawwad and Social Activist, Swami Agnivesh even kept one day fast for political destruction of Modi. "There was no question of forgiving a person like Modi. I or anyone else do not have right to forgive him in anyway. Those who were the victims only have the right to forgive," said Jawwad. He added that even as per Shariyat laws only the victim who suffered has the right to forgive the oppressors not anyone.
"He (Dr Sadiq) should keep himself in situation of victims of Gujarat riots before making any such statement. It would be his personal views only and would not be applicable on others," said Professor of law, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Shakeel Samdani. "Even if Modi apologises for his crimes now then also no one will forgive him. Some of the victim got justice but through Judiciary and Modi remained a roadblock in justice for victims," said Samdani, who was also a member of AIMPlB.
However, Shehar-e-Qazi and Sunni Cleric, Maulana Abul Irfan Miyan Firhangi Mahali applauded Dr Sadiq’s statement but not completely. Maulana said Muslims have seen regime of nearly all the major political parties specially Congress for 50 years. What they got in return was just betrayal. "When he says to give a chance to Modi then what’s the problem. Muslims would see what he can do," he added.
National President of Muslim Jagriti Manch, Kalbe Husain has record his dissent with the statement of his father, Maulana Dr Kalbe Sadiq. Frowning over the manner in which the statement has been projected, quoted out of context and isolating it from its background. "You can erase corruption and control inflation but a person with communal mindset, irrespective of his religious leanings, remains ever faithful to his ideology of hate," he said. Kalbe Husain said thousands of innocents, who were brutally massacred, savaged and violated, reserve the right to pardon their culprit and it would only be possible if the dead come to life again.