Turkey’s crackdown on the latest coup-plotters hit Indian shores on Tuesday with its Ambassador demanding action against the followers of a popular Sufi sect in India.
Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric accused by Ankara of being the force behind the failed coup of July 16, is a leading figure of Nakshbandi movement of Sufi Islam, many of whose members participated in the World Sufi Forum presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year.
Ambassador of Turkey Burak Ackapar on Tuesday said the reclusive Mr. Gulen has followers in India. “We are aware of their presence in India. We hope to get a sympathetic response from India on this matter,” Mr. Ackapar told reporters here. However, he refused to reveal Turkey’s specific concerns on this sect saying that Turkey will communicate its concerns to India through proper channel.
Following Mr Ackapar’s comments, a source representing All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board (AIUMB), a Sufi outfit, said that they will defend reputation of all Sufi sects of India if the government of Turkey holds them responsible for being party to the political movements in Turkey. “Fethullah Gulen is a highly revered Sufi figure belonging to the Nakshbandi school of Sufi Islam and we naturally hold him in high esteem. We will study Turkey’s comments and respond appropriately,” the source told The Hindu arguing that they will defend the Sufi orders of India.
A number of speakers representing various Sufi schools from Turkey had participated in the World Sufi Forum of March including those known to be part of the Gulen movement.
The Nakshbandi school of Sufi Islam originally from Central Asia is popular for its mystical attributes which is sometimes at odds with the more puritanical Islam that is favoured in modern Turkey.
The source from AIUMB however pointed out that Turkey was not anti-Sufi earlier and that Mr Gulen had supported Mr Erdogan’s bid for power previously.
