Even though Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq’s statement would have boosted the morale of BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate, ahead of 2014 general elections, the majority of Muslim fraternity feels bitter about his comment.
Notably, the cleric said that Muslims could vote for Narendra Modi if he makes some changes in himself. He was even ready to forgive him if he apologises. Though Sadiq is the vice-president of All India Muslim Personal law Board, but even the board has cornered itself from the cleric’s remark on Modi. “Sadiq was vice-president of the board, but it doesn’t mean that the statement was given as V-P. It was his personal opinion and has no relation with AIMPlB,” said Zafaryaab Jilani, executive member of AIMPlB.
However Jilani did not comment on the cleric’s statement. Imam-e-Juma and Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad had been a critic of Narendra Modi. last year, Jawwad and Social Activist Swami Agnivesh kept a day’s 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. Those who were the victims only have the right to forgive,” said Jawwad. He added that even as per Shariyat laws only the victim has the right to forgive the oppressors not anyone else.
“He (Sadiq) should empathise with the victims of Gujarat riots before making any such statement. It is his personal view and is not applicable on others,” said hakeel Samdani, Professor of law, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
“Even if Modi apologises, no one will forgive him. Some of the victims got justice through Judiciary and Modi remained a roadblock in justice for victims,” said Samdani, 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 that Muslims have seen regime of nearly all the major political parties, especially the Congress for 50 years. What they got in return was just betrayal. “What’s the problem in giving just one chance to Modi. Muslims would see what he can do,” he added.
Muslim Jagriti Manch national president Kalbe Husain has recorded his dissent with the statement of his father, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq. “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.