A conference of Ulemas (Muslim clerics) — called by Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) —to deliberate on terrorism and communal riots gained political undertones with a senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary heaping praise on BJP-led NDA government at the Centre while attacking the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh for believing that “Muslims were its vote bank”. The MRM has the backing of the RSS through its kendriya pracharak Indresh Kumar Singh, who was one of the lead speakers during the conference, which saw an attendance of nearly 500 Ulemas from different states. Without naming the ruling Samajwadi Party in UP, Singh alleged that leaders of a particular political party considered Muslims as their vote bank, but it would not be so any longer. “These leaders show affection for you and develop hatred in you for us,” the RSS functionary, who is also the co-founder and marg darshak of the MRM, said. [related-post] Citing at the lack of police presence at the conference venue, Singh said, “When you (Ulemas) attend conferences of these secular leaders, you have to go through security checks at least three times. Their security personnel keep a watch on you. But, there is no police here because of the faith and brotherhood between us”. Singh said UP has witnessed several communal riots in which scores of people died and it was only the common man that suffered. He said “some political leaders create hatred in society to get power”. The RSS leader also praised the Narendra Modi government for the way Mumbai serial blasts’ convict Yakub Memon’s hanging was carried out. He said that it has happened first time that the body of such a convict was handed over to the family and air service was provided to take it to burial place of their choice. Singh also stressed on education. And announced that madrasas that produce “students who are believers in god and lovers of nation” would be rewarded. Addressing the meet, Manch convener Mohd Afzal said all sects of Muslims, whether Deobandi, Shia, Sunni or Barelvi were on one platform. “Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam and Muslims would not remain a vote bank,” he said, and asked Muslims to follow the ideals of former President APJ Abdul Kalam. Maulana Ibrahim from Karnataka said not every person with name ‘Yakub’ was a terrorist. He also said those acting against humanity could not be true Muslims.MRM convener Maulana Shoeb Zafar Kasmi alleged that politicians provoked Muslims against RSS. “Hindus too were told that Muslims are not nationalists. Certain forces has created confusion between Hindus and Muslims,” he said. Shahr Qazi of Ghaziabad Z A Bukhari said that few particular clans ruled the nation and created terror in garb of secularism. Hazrat Maulana Qasim said Islam was being defamed in the name of ‘Jihad’ by those who do not know its meaning. “Jihad means spreading light. It is a fight against darkness,” he said at the meeting where no prominent Muslim leader from Lucknow was present.
