An outfit representing Muslims today accused the NDA government of launching attacks on minorities, Dalits and educational institutions and assailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent when some BJP MPs were allegedly "spreading hatred" against the minority community.
"The present situation is such that minorities are being attacked, especially Muslims. Some people, unfortunately some of them are members of Parliament which is supreme in the country, are saying whatever comes to their mind.
"The government is keeping quiet, giving them liberty to spew fire against anyone they want. The Prime Minister should deal strictly with such people, but he is not doing so," chief of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Maulana Syed Arshad Madani, said today while briefing reporters about a day-long conference to be held on March 12.
Referring to reports about Modi attending World Sufi Forum on March 17, Madani seemed to suggest the Prime Minister should not hold a section of the community "close", while "ignore" others and said such a move will not benefit the country.
"I don't know if he (Modi) is going there or not, but if a section of Muslims is being held close and other is being ignored, hatred is being spread in minds of people, then this is bad for the country. None will benefit from this, but the country will be hurt, of course," he added.
Madani said "Given the present circumstances created by BJP", the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind could not "dare" invite the Prime Minister for its event.
He noted the situation was "different" two years ago and claimed the community members could speak "eye-to-eye" with the Congress-led UPA Government over their issues.
"But the present situation is worse than that during freedom struggle," he added.
"Also, I would get prompt reply if I submitted any report (during UPA regime). I respect the Prime Minister (Modi), he is legally our Prime Minister. I had submitted a report of first riot that broke in Gujarat after he became Prime Minister. But two years have gone by and there is no reply," he claimed.
The Maulana expressed concern over alleged "saffronisation" of universities in the country and claimed Dalits and Christians, too, were being targeted.
On the row over the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University, he insisted the varsity indeed is a minority institution.
Madani said besides Muslims, members of Christian community are also likely to attend the conference, which he claimed is an "apolitical" event.
