Votaries of the proposed Indo-US nuclear deal such as Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh may be quoting the recent fatwa by Deoband seminary Darul Uloom in favour of the deal.
LUCKNOW: Votaries of the proposed Indo-US nuclear deal such as Samajwadi Party (SP) general secretary Amar Singh may be quoting the recent fatwa by Deoband seminary Darul Uloom in favour of the deal. But the fact remains that a large section of the Muslim population, as also the ulema (clerics), is severely opposed to any such strategic agreement with the US of A.
An interaction with some renowned clerics here gave a clear insight into the Muslim mind and the seething hatred for America in their hearts.
“America can never be anybody’s friend,” internationally-revered Shia cleric and vice-president of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Maulana Kalbe Sadiq said. “It is a selfish nation which can only think of its own interests... it works on the principle that if you are not a friend, you are an enemy. How can you have any agreement with such a partner,” he asks.
However, Maulana Sadiq added a word of advice: “The nuclear deal should not be seen as an issue for the Muslims alone. It concerns the freedom and sovereignty of the country.”
Another renowned Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad said: “America is a rogue nation as regards honouring its relations. It has a history of destroying countries with which it has had good relations. Iraq is an example.”
About the nuclear deal, he said: “This agreement will ultimately make our country a puppet in the hands of America.”
Interestingly, the Maulanas recently called on Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati to thank her for her resolute stand against the nuke deal. They assured her of Muslim support in her “fight to save the nation’s security and sovereignty”.
However, the opposition to the deal among eminent personalities of the Muslim community does not seem to be totally undisputed.
“This deal will ensure a bright future for our country. Nuclear energy is a need which can be denied only at the cost of India’s development,” Iqtedar Hussain Faruqi, general secretary of the Sir Sayyed Scientific Society, said.
“People who are opposing the deal are not even aware of its nuances... the mindless opposition to the deal is only because America is involved,” he warned.
But Lucknow’s Naib Imam and member of the AIMPLB Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali voiced a totally different view. “This agreement will imperil our country’s freedom. We will also lose the Iran gas pipeline project which would be a big blow to India’s development.”
g_deepak@dnaindia.net
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