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2004: Indian Muslim Statements
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COUNCIL of INDIAN MUSLIMS (UK)

British Muslims Concerned at Muslims' Joining the BJP

London, 25 February, 2004: Council of Indian Muslims – UK (CIM) has deplored the decision of some of Indian Muslims to join the BJP.

"We are deeply worried at this dangerous trend and short-sightedness, to say the least, of some Muslim politicians who have already joined the BJP or have been giving indications to do." CIM’s Chairman Mr Munaf Zeena said in a statement today.

Without mentioning anyone by name Mr Zeena attacked the politicians who, he said, had "a long record of using Muslims for their political gains."

Citing examples of their opportunism Mr Zeena said, "In the past they used issues like the minority character of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) or their lineage with personalities like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. When it suited them they used AMU as a launching pad to succeed in politics and when it proved more profitable to wear the cap of liberalism they became the champions of the rights of Muslim women and did not hesitate in attacking Muslim personal law. When opposing the BJP could help them in occupying high position in the Rajaya Sabbha they called it anti-Muslim. But now when supporting it can bring them more gains they express confidence in Atal Bihari Vajpayee."

Mr Zeena further said that "This is extremely unfortunate that they are ignoring the fact that the BJP is the political wing of RSS whose leader Golwalker adored Hitler, regarded non Hindus as ‘foreign races’ who, in his view, should merge’ with what he called the ‘Hindu race’. Otherwise he warned they ‘should not claim even citizen’s rights’" Zeena added.

"One wonders, after the demolition of Babri Mosque by BJP lead government in UP in 1992, genocide and the ongoing harassment of Muslims in Gujarat, imposition of Hindu worship upon non Hindu children in state schools, contradictory statements of Prime Minister Vajpayee on Babri Mosque, what proof does one need to be convinced about the real motives of the Sangh Parivar?" He said.

"Great Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawahar Lal Nehru had realised the dangers RSS’s philosophy posed to the country and took every possible measure to stop it from spreading its cancerous ideology in the Indian society. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad did not hesitate in condemning the Hindutva tendencies of some of his colleagues. Their clear vision and fearless judgements had prevented the masses from being accepting the sugar coated poisonous pills of the Sangh Parivar. But the way celebrities and politicians, specially Muslims politicians, have been joining the Sangh camp is really shameful and shows that they have become devoid of any sense of self-respect and will be remembered as traitors like Meer Jafar and Meer Sadiq" Mr Zeena added.

COUNCIL of INDIAN MUSLIMS (UK)
66c Cazenove Road, Stoke Newington, London N16 6AATel: 020 8806 1147 Fax: 020 8806 6859, www.coim.org.uk , Email: info@coim.org.uk q

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