New Delhi: All India Imam Association President Maulana Mohd Sajid Rashidi on Tuesday criticised Congress leader Imran Masood for allegedly describing Diwali as a disease, saying the remark amounted to an attack on the faith and devotion of people who celebrate the festival. He demanded an apology from the Congress leader.
Speaking to IANS, Rashidi said, “Imran Masood calling Diwali a disease is an attack on the faith and devotion of the Sanatanis who celebrate the festival.”
He argued that insulting another person’s religious beliefs was contrary to the teachings of the Quran as well.
“Attacking anyone’s faith is also denied in the Quran. The Quran has clearly said that anyone who believes in God cannot be insulted. When you celebrate Holi and Diwali at your home, how can you call it a disease?” he asked.
Describing Masood’s reported remarks as surprising, Rashidi said, “His comments are very surprising, and I feel he should apologise for his statements.”
Commenting on the political debate surrounding Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, Rashidi referred to earlier statements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on the place of Muslims in India.
He recalled Modi’s statement expressing the desire to see a computer in one hand and the Quran in the other. Rashidi also cited Bhagwat’s remarks that Muslims had been living in India since the beginning and were an integral part of the country.
Referring to Bhagwat’s statement that India cannot exist without Muslims, Rashidi said such remarks reflected a change in perspectives and questioned attempts to portray the leaders as fundamentalists.
He alleged that making contrary claims could create mistrust and fuel social divisions.
“These issues are being brought up again owing to the upcoming elections, and being pushed so that Muslims can be influenced,” he said.
Rashidi also questioned the Congress’s political record, saying the party had governed the country for decades but was now revisiting past events after losing power.
“It is an irony that you ruled the country for 65 years, and when the nation denied your rule after 65 years, then you are reminded of your past sins, and thus you are digging graves. If you were doing a good job at governance, then why would the people remove you?” he said.
He further claimed that Hindu-Muslim conflicts had occurred frequently during Congress rule and alleged that such incidents had comparatively declined in recent years, particularly in Gujarat.
“Especially in Gujarat, when Congress was in power, there were fights among the communities which have comparatively reduced at present times,” Rashidi said.
(IANS)
