Sajid Rashidi targeted in Shaniwarwada Namaz case, accused of politics of hate

New Delhi, October 21 (IANS). Maulana Sajid Rashidi, president of All India Imam Association, has taken a stern stand on the recent religious controversies and targeted political parties. On the incident of ‘purification’ with cow urine by Hindu organizations after the video of Muslim women offering Namaz in Pune’s Shaniwarwada went viral, Rashidi termed it as ‘politics of hate’. Sajid Rashidi, while talking to IANS, also reacted sharply to Maharashtra government minister Nitish Rane’s statement of reciting Hanuman Chalisa at Haji Ali Dargah and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan’s controversial statement of lighting lamps. Rashidi said, “It is a palace, a historical site under ASI, not a religious place. It is like Delhi’s India Gate or Red Fort. If it is time for Namaz and someone offers it, then what kind of disaster is there? But Hindu organizations washed it with cow urine the next day, making the place more impure.” He said, “Cow urine may be your faith, but not everyone’s. Here, if cow urine gets on the body, Namaz will not be offered. What is the fault of those Muslim women? They came to walk, when it was time for Namaz, they read. This is a government place, not anyone’s property. Hindus have rights, so the Muslims have to purge against those women, who is the one against those women, against the constitution?” FIR should be lodged against them.” Need those who sprinkled cow urine. It’s a vote bank game. Such people do not want Hindu-Muslim unity. They are spreading the words of General Asim Munir.” Looking at Nitish Rane’s statement on Haji Ali, Rashidi said, “If you offer Namaz at a tourist place, then why would you offer Hanuman Chalisa in a Dargah? We did not offer Namaz in your temple. Nitesh Rane won’t even remember Hanuman Chalisa, I assure you. He spreads hate. He is cutting the roots of BJP. Muslims want to come to BJP but run away from such statements. Lang.” shift If you want to play then take Muslims with you, otherwise stop the sparks of hate. Put duct tape on their mouths, cancel their membership.” On Azam Khan’s statement that ‘those who light a lamp can light anything’, Rashidi said: “Lighting a lamp is a matter of faith. Azam was sent to jail for this. It seems that he liked the bread in jail and he does not like the bread outside. How will you feel if there are inappropriate comments about Namaz? One should speak with caution in this government.” –IANS SCH/ABM Share this story Tags