NEW DELHI, SEPT 2: The BJP today took a step further from its recent gesture to Muslims at the Nagpur conclave when its national headquarters here reverberated with chants of `Nara-e-Takbir Allah-o-Akbar'.The visitors were a group of Muslims from Old Delhi who had come to felicitate new party president Bangaru Laxman, moved by his call at Nagpur that Muslims should come into the BJP fold. Some of them even offered prayers inside the BJP headquarters.This is the first time Muslims have thronged the BJP office in such large numbers, raising slogans and lauding the party's efforts to join hands with them given the fact that several BJP leaders are facing trial in the Babri masjid demolition case. Earlier, such slogans would have been countered by slogans of `Jai Sri Ram' from BJP workers. Today, however, they were supporting the Muslims.Laxman's gesture has gone down well with even the BJP's ideological ally, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). ``Being a political party, BJP has to take care of all sections of society regardless of their religion, caste or creed, and this does not amount to appeasing minorities in the way other pseudo-secular parties are doing,'' VHP leader Pravin Togadiya said.A senior BJP leader later defined Allah as another form of `nirankar param brahma' (bodyless, shapeless god) and Rahman-o-Rahim as `akaran karunakar' (supreme benevolent). ``There may be difference of words but our feelings are the same,'' he said.BJP leaders and the visitors also recited shers (Urdu couplets) praising each other.Laxman said he did not give the call to the Muslims to get their votes or support. ``BJP is the ruling party and Muslims the biggest minority community in India. How can they remain aloof?'' he asked.The BJP had apparently not anticipated such an overwhelming response from the Muslims or from the other parties. Laxman said a BJP leader, surprised to see such a large number of Muslims at his residence last evening, wondered if he had wandered into the residence of a Muslim theologist.Amid loud clapping, Laxman announced that had the Muslims not come to the BJP on their own, BJP workers would have gone to their localities to allay their fears about the party.He said several fears were removed when A.B. Vajpayee came to power at the Centre two years ago. ``There were a perceptible drop in cases of communal riots. There was no interference by the Government in anyone's religious affairs. If Vajpayee is a a good leader, how can his party be bad?'' Laxman asked.In an attempt to generate further bonhomie, Laxman said: ``I am sure Muslims don't want to build a Taj Mahal in each of their houses. They only want love and respect.'' He said the BJP had thrown open its doors and windows to Muslims. ``Come and join us.''
