Islamic clerics fume over Rahul remarks

Muslim intellectuals are upset with Congress star campaigner Rahul Gandhi over his statement giving credit to members of the Gandhi family for Pakistan’s 1971 division. While dubbing the statement as “immature and unwarranted”, they also feel it was politically incorrect.
Reacting to the statement, renowned historian Irfan Habib said: “It is a historical event for which no family or person should boast or try to take credit. It is also an insult to Bangladesh movement. Rahul is free to say whatever he wants to, but in a democratic country playing up family is certainly not in good taste.”
Public relation officer and Reader in Journalism in Aligarh Muslim University Saifi Kidwai said, “People were quite agitated this morning. It’s a political military victory. Why should anyone take credit for that? I am afraid the Congress can’t win back Muslims by making such statements. The young may not react but the old generation is certainly not going to approve of it”.
Prof Asmer Beg, Professor of Political Science, AMU, sounded quite agitated. “Perhaps Rahul does not understand the nuances of Indian politics. In his desperation to leave an impact on the voters, he has treaded on something totally absurd. It cannot be defended as no country in the world would like to take credit for something which is not politically correct, even at the international level. After all no country has a right to dismember any country. In fact we have openly acknowledged something for which we often pull up Pakistan -- meddling in the affairs of other countries. United States is also criticized for the same.”
Sheerin Moosivi, AMU HOD in History, said, “Why should one speak of issues that have no connection with the present. It is unfortunate. Perhaps he did not mean what he actually said. After all Britishers today would like to wash their hands off the partition”.
Dr Nafees Ahmad, vice president of Eitehad Millet Council of Bareilly which is contesting 20 assembly seats in Bareilly and Moradabad division, said the minorities were never going to pardon the Congress for its role in Ayodhya -- from the time of placement of idols in 1948 to demolition of the mosque in 1992. He said: “It is immaterial what Rahul Gandhi says today. Muslims are least concerned with the divisions in Pakistan as Quran preaches love for the ‘Vatan’.” He claimed that the day IMC came to power, Pakistan would be conquered and included in India. “This would raise the strength of the Muslims and bring an end to their exploitation."

courtesy- Hindustan Times