A political storm has hit Jammu and Kashmir after top cleric and Deputy Grand Mufti of Kashmir Nasir-ul-Islam called upon the Indian Muslims to demand a separate country within India.
"Muslims in India are living in pathetic condition… Pakistan was formed when Muslims were only 17 crore. I think Indian Muslims should demand a separate country. They should ask for separate country within India. It is time for them", Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam told reporters here on Tuesday.
Elaborating, Mufti Nasir said Indian Muslims are being harassed on different pretexts in the country. "Muslims are the second largest population in India.. They are being killed. A Muslim is killed by cow vigilantes in Alwar but it hardly bothers anyone", he said.
Son of Grand Mufti of Kashmir Bashir-ud-din Ahmad, Mufti Nasir is the legal heir to the post after his father. He was appointed Deputy Grand Mufti in order to pave way for him to become the Grand Mufti after his father. In February 2013 Mufti Bashir ud-din issued fatwa calling music un-Islamic and forcing the all girls rock-band 'Praagaash' to disband.
"India is frustrated and Muslims are being targeted under a plan. Sometime in the name of Love Jihad, sometimes in the name of cow vigiliante, Muslims in India are being harassed. What happened to the Sageer Commission report?" he asked.
Deputy Grand Mufti even suggested to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to break her alliance with BJP. "They should resign if they care for people. They should say good bye to BJP", he said.
Mufti Nasir's statement evoked a sharp reaction with BJP going hammer and tongs demanding his immediate arrest under sedition charges.
"Actions should be taken against him. Government should harshly deal with such elements who are demanding separate country. He should be arrested and charged with sedition. Such people are posing danger to the sovereignty of the country and therefore he should be taken to task", said Professor Virendra Gupta, state spokesman of the J&K BJP.
WHAT HE SAID
- Muslims are the second largest population in India. They are being killed. A Muslim is killed by cow vigilantes in Alwar but it hardly bothers anyone.
- Pakistan was formed when Muslims were only 17 crore. I think Indian Muslims should demand a separate country within India.
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 "Indian Muslims")
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