Muslim leaders of various Islamic fronts today demanded that former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda take back his remarks calling his own party MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan 'Mir Sadiq' and apologise to their community for "hurting" their sentiments.
"We demand that Deve Gowda take back his remarks calling Zameer Ahmed Khan Mir Sadiq because it has hurt our religious sentiments. Muslims despise his name because he hadbetrayed Tipu Sultan," Tipu Sultan United Front President Sardar Ahmed Qureshi told reporters here.
They also asked Muslims to vote for Congress' Abdul Rehman Sharief, who is contesting the February 13 bypoll for Hebbal assembly seat, if Gowda fails to take back his remarks.
Gowda, during his campaign in Hebbal constituency, had called Zameer 'Mir Sadiq' for his alleged anti-party activities.
Zameer has been opposing JD(S) fielding a Muslim candidate as it would split Muslim votes, benefiting BJP.
"Why is Deve Gowda fielding a Muslim candidate? For what? Does he want to split Muslim votes in the constituency? It appears Gowda is keen on helping BJP by doingso," Indian Muslim League General Secretary Mohammad Illiassaid.
Reacting to former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's statement that his father's remarks were aimed at an individual and not against the community, Illias said "we do not agree with it."
"Mir Sadiq is a blot on the name of Muslims and calling any Muslim by his name is an insult to the entire Muslim community. Gowda should take back his remarks. Nothing less thanthat," Allah Baksh Aamir, President of Madarsa Garib Nawazsaid.
Mir Sadiq, who was a General in the Mysore Army, betrayed the then Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799 and sided with the British, leading to their victory.
