Amid a row over Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s portrait at the Aligarh Muslim University, local BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule has termed the founder of Pakistan a ‘mahapurush’ (great personality).
Ms. Phule alleged that the Jinnah controversy was being raked up to divert attention from the real issues such as ensuring equal rights to Dalits.
“All the ‘mahapurush’ who had contributed to the freedom struggle, irrespective of their caste or community, need to be respected,” the MP, who has been vocally critical of the State government over Dalit issues, told newspersons here on Thursday night.
Asked if Jinnah was a ‘mahapurush’, she replied, “He was, is, and will always remain a great person.”
“The portrait of such a ‘mahapurush’, wherever it is required, should be installed with respect... Jinnah is respected from the times of freedom struggle... His name should be taken with respect,” she said.
The BJP MP said the Jinnah controversy was being raked up to divert attention from the real issues of ‘bahujan samaj’ of poverty, starvation, etc.
Her own party colleague and MP from Aligarh, Satish Gautam, had earlier written a letter to AMU vice-chancellor seeking explanation as to why Jinnah’s portrait continues to adorn the walls of the university, triggering a massive controversy.
To a question on Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party leader Om Prakash Rajbhar’s statements that backward people were being neglected, Ms. Phule said she too had felt the same way.
Ms. Phule had earlier raised questions on BJP leaders dining at the houses of Dalits. She had, in March, held a “save Constitution” rally in Lucknow in which BJP flags and symbols were missing.
