BJP invokes former Darul VC to garner support for Narendra Modi

BJP has invoked the name of top Islamic scholar and former vice-chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband maulana Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi to drum up Muslim support for the Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi ahead of his Sunday’s rally in Madhopur on the Punjab-Jammu and Kashmir border.

“Modi is a symbol of development and all sections of the society including Muslims have shown faith in him. Even top Muslim scholar and former vice-chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband Ghulam Vastanvi said that Muslims should not have any problem if the country would vote to make Modi as the next prime minister,” said Vibodh Gupta, vice-president of J&K state BJP.

Maulana Vastanvi had lost the post of vice-chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband for allegedly praising Modi in 2011. Though he retracted his statement later, it did not placate the  members of Majlis-e-Shora of the seminary which ultimately resulted in his removal from the post.

“Vastanvi had spoken truth and that is why he was victimised. So-called leaders who are sitting on top think that if Muslims get connected with Modi then they may land into difficulty. Modi in his tenure has never given any anti-Muslim statement. You can check You Tube or any site, he has never said anything (against Muslim). He considers everyone equal,” said Gupta.

The BJP leader said when people like Vastanvi will stand up then no one will be in a position to victimise anyone in the Muslim community. “Gujarat Muslim voted for Modi. I am from Rajouri district. The twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch are Muslim dominated. And the Muslim youth in these districts are looking at Modi that he would be able to deliver on developmental front,” he said.