I have done no wrong, insists UP minister

NEW DELHI: Haji Yakub Qureshi, Uttar Pradesh’s minister for Hajj and minority welfare who announced a reward of Rs51 crore for anyone who kills the Danish cartoonists who lampooned the Prophet, is unrepentant.

A day after he shocked the world, Qureshi, 51, who claims to be an Islamic scholar, said, “I have merely articulated the sentiments of the community and all right-thinking people.”

He derided other parties for their silence on the issue. “The Congress was a bystander when the Babri Masjid was demolished and look what price they had to pay for it,” he said.

Qureshi is unconcerned that his announcement could cost him his job and earn him a lengthy spell in jail. “I haven’t violated any law or done anything wrong,” he insisted.
But for all the nonchalance on display, it was tough to pin Qureshi down. He remained inaccessible for most of Saturday. His mobile phone was switched off.

Qureshi’s comments have embarrassed his party as well as his community. “He must realise that he is a member of the government and has sworn to uphold the law,” said Mohan Singh, deputy leader of the Samajwadi Party in the Lok Sabha. “He has no business making such comments.”  Turn to p18