Row over call to Muslims to stay home from Jan 20 to 25

Union minister Giriraj Singh took strong exception to AIUDF chief Badrudding Ajmal’s alleged remarks asking Muslims to stay indoors between January 20 and 25, the time period during which the idol of Ram Lalla will consecrated in Ayodhya’s grand Ram Mandir.

Singh said the BJP does not hate Muslims and respects all religions. He went onto say that leaders like Ajmal and (AIMIM leader Asaduddin) Owaisi “spread hatred” in society. He even gave the example of Iqbal Ansari, a former litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, who has been invited for the consecration ceremony on January 22.

“BJP does not hate Muslims. We work with the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’. Former litigant in the Ayodhya land dispute case, Iqbal Ansari has been invited for the consecration ceremony of Ram temple and he will also take part in the prayers. People like Badruddin Ajmal, Owaisi spread hatred in society. The BJP respects all religions…” he said.

Ajmal, who is an MP from Assam, had allegedly advised Muslims to stay inside their homes between January 20 and 25, and even told them not to travel by train. He said the BJP is “the biggest enemy of the Muslims”.

“We will have to be cautious. Muslims should not travel by train from January 20 to 25. The Ram idol will be placed in Ram Janmabhoomi, the entire world will witness this. Lakhs of people will come. The BJP’s plan is big. During this period, we should not travel by train and should stay at home. The BJP is the biggest enemy of the Muslims. The BJP is the enemy of our life, our faith, our azaan…” he said, as report by news agency ANI.

With inputs from News18