Delhi Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari’s appeal to Muslims on Friday to vote for the Aam Aadmi Party triggered a controversy with the party turning down the support and the BJP warning against “fatwa politics.”
The AAP described the Imam’s backing as communal, which seemed to be “propped up by the BJP to vitiate the communal atmosphere in Delhi.”
The endorsement of “secular AAP over communal BJP” by the Shahi Imam came on the eve of the Delhi Assembly election.
“It’s better that we support the secular party. We cannot support the BJP because it tried to divide society,” said Mr. Bukhari, who had issued a similar appeal in favour of the Congress during the last general election.
While the AAP called the support “unsolicited,” Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said such “fatwas” had been issued in the past as well and people opposed to such kind of politics should ensure a heavy voter turnout.
However, asked about a similar appeal made by the Dera Sachcha Sauda chief to his disciples in favour of BJP, Mr. Jaitley’s response was “every vote matters.”
Unlike the Congress and other parties backed by Shahi Imam in the past, the AAP was quick to reject the appeal. Party leader Ashish Khetan told presspersons that Mr. Bukhari represented communal politics, something AAP was committed to finish off.
“Such statements are regressive and communal. We want the support of every common man and support for us comes cutting across religious lines,” he said. Through a statement, the party said it would never accept any such offer of support from any religious leader
AAP condemns and rejects support of Shahi Imam. AAP is against any type of caste and communal politics. 1/2
— Aam Aadmi Party (@AamAadmiParty)
>February 6, 2015 A million thanks to
>@AamAadmiParty for rejecting support offered by Shahi Imam Bukhari, saying they don't need his endorsement.
— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen)
>February 6, 2015No political party should use religious fanatics or be used by them. They can survive without their endorsement.
— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen)
>February 6, 2015