Muslim group opposes Hazare's fast; says it will help communal forces

A top body of Muslims Monday strongly opposed Gandhian Anna Hazare's fast for a strong Lokpal Bill beginning in Mumbai on Tuesday, saying it will help communal forces.

Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind was against corruption but people involved along with Hazare are working at the behest of RSS and communal forces, the group's state unit General Secretary, Maulana Hhalimullah Quasmi, said in a statement in Mumbai.

"We have experienced in the past that whenever such an agitation is carried out against secular government, communal forces get into power," he said.

The Congress-led UPA Government is seriously making efforts to address problems of minorities, especially Muslims. Hence, such agitations will weaken the Government and help communal forces, Quasmi said.

Hazare's agitation was a conspiracy to strengthen communal forces, he alleged.

Meanwhile, another organisation, All India Ulema Council, said it will make its stand clear on Hazare's agitation on Tuesday.

Representatives of both organisations were present at Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal's meeting with Muslim organisations earlier in the day.