Imam Bukhari writes to PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi; seeks to allay 'fears' of 25 crore Indian Muslims
Imam Bukhari of Jama Masjid in Delhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking stern action against mob lynching and alleged atrocities on minorities, including Dalits and Muslims in India.
In his letter, Imam Bukhari alleges that Modi government has failed to deliver its poll promise 'sabka sath sabka vikas'. "You gave a promise of treating 125 crore Indians with equality, irrespective of their religion and ethnicity... but unfortunately, the ground reality is not only contrary to this, but is a cause of concern for every civilised Indian citizen," he said in the letter.
The Imam racked up the issue of mob violence by Gau Rakshaks or cow vigilantes and claimed that PM Modi's stern warning to such 'anti-social' elements has failed to rein them in.
Furthermore, he alleges that BJP government has been tactically encouraging some central and state legislators who have called Muslim community names. "The BJP talks of the formation of a riot free society, but today every thing is being weighed in a Hindu-Muslim perspective. The government and the sizeable of the media are doing the job very diligently," he claimed.
Time has come today for the state and its leadership to prove its impartiality with its words, deeds, moves and their implementation. Even today I have faith in the state and hope that the Indian state would allay the uneasiness prevalent amongst the 250 million Indian Muslims without delay, the Imam appealed in the letter to PM Modi.
In a similar letter to Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the Imam has sought clarity of the stand of his party over alleged atrocities on Muslims in the country. In his letter to Gandhi, the Imam has said that the condition of Muslims in the country is currently worse as compared to the last seven decades.
He has also pointed that as many as 64 innocent Muslims have been killed in cases of mob lynching. “Where is your voice against the way the current government is treating us?” Imam Bukhari has asked Rahul Gandhi in his letter.
According to him, it has become difficult for Muslim youth to walk out of their homes wearing skull caps and sporting beard. “We expect that as a responsible opposition, you will pressure the government over this issue,” Bukhari further wrote in his letter.
